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Need info on turning my 16ft aluminum boat into a sailing vessel?

  • i need some information on building a sail and mast for my 16ft 1957 arkansas traveler.i know it is a little odd and maybe a bit unrealistic but im going to give it my best shot. I will be mainly sailing on the St.Lawrence and Lake Ontario. ive done a little research and am thinking a catboat type sail might work best and will be the simplest for me to build and the least costly to construct but i am new to sailing to advice on how to construct a simple, durable sail on a dime would be great. furthermore, i realize it would be best to just buy a sail boat and NOT use an aluminum fishing boat, however i want to do it just for the hell of it basically.

  • Answer:

    "ell jay" is only partially right. You do need a center board or keel. But, that is NOT what makes a sailing boat sail - it is what makes it sail forward. Without one, the wind will turn your boat every which way but loose. My dingies are flat bottom dingies. I can lower the center board, and raise the sail to sail it, or I can use my outboard motor without the sail, or the center board. So, you don't need to concern yourself with the planning hull or displacement hull issues. One thing for sure however... from the sound of things, you are probably going to ruin a perfectly good aluminum boat. In order to make this work, you will have to rig a side keel board, or cut a hole down the center of your aluminum boat and build a center board box. I have attached a link, and if you check out the center board boats, you will get an idea of what I am talking about. However... My opinion is, you have the wrong tool for the job. And you will most likely be better off selling the aluminum boat, and buying a use sailing skiff, cat-boat, or even a Hobie or Laser...

mike l at Yahoo! Answers Visit the source

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U can use drop swing dagger boards on the sides hang down 3' that will give U way when the sail is up. Only problem is the side of an Aluminum boat are weak and in time stress out the side. Y not just get a cheap sail boat and sail the next day.The cost would be less.

45 auto

you've got a big job on .how will you fit a keel to it? you will have to cut a slot in the bottom of the boat fit a keel box and make sure it doesn't leak. Ballast? , keel? go and learn how a sailboat works first and then re-appraise your project

olivercheetham

your main concern will be how to make a centre board or keel, this is what makes a sailing boat sail.

ell jay

adding a simple sailing rig to your aluminum boat is a fairly easy process. here is a link that describes how to build and attach lee boards to an aluminum boat. this includes a strong cross beam that will become part of the mast support and strengthen the hull to help withstand forces on the leeboards. we had this type of leeboard set up on folboat kayaks and canoes, since this is a bolt on system you can remove it when you are not going to be sailing. you can look up more info on line. http://www.enter.net/~skimmer/building/building.html addition plans for sail rig, leeboards and rudder for a 16' sailing canoe, this is a good place to start http://www.enter.net/~skimmer/building/aca_rig.pdf you may be able to locate the sailing rig (sail, mast and booms) from a board boat like a sunfish to adapt for your hull. a simple leeboard system http://www.angib.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/scow/scow46.htm http://www.angib.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/scow/scow46a.htm http://www.messingaboutinboats.com/archives/mbissuejuly99.html

seattlesailor2000

Hi, moving any boat with a sail is possible, how efficient and safe that might be is another issue. A planning hull design does not do well with a sail, but it may move the boat. A displacement hull will move to it's hull speed much more efficiently under sail. You'll need to add leeboards to the boat to keep it from blowing sideways and a rudder system. It is usually better to motor a sail boat than to sail a motor boat. Moving a 16' sailboat to it's hull speed takes about two and a half horsepower where your planning hull may take 20 hp. I'd suggest you sell the boat and find an inexpensive sailboat with a smaller motor, you'll probably make better time that way to cruise and at less money that trying to convert the 57 boat to a sail.

Willard

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