First day dinghy cruising with Enrico Franconi’s “Liguria Project”, with the intent to sail from East to West along the coast of Liguria, from Bocca di Magra to Bordighera, on MIRA, a homemade dinghy, class Goat Island Skiff.
Our yearly Sail Boat Calendar is out! Every year a new Calendar based on the best 12 photos of Goat Island Skiffs taken during the year.
There are at least two Viola 14 sailing canoes on the way, here are some update photos before the decks go on of the boat being built by Steve Schleicher – he will be going for the balance lug rig.
Save money by reshaping or tuning cheaper paddles to remove weight and improve in water handling, efficiency and comfort to use on a sailing dinghy to combine paddling and sailing or just paddle.
In 2009 I went to the USA for a series of events and talks. I was partly funded by the sailing community including many of my friends in the wider homebuilt boat community. This is the treasure trove of photos from across the USA featuring people who build their own boats and also some of the museums and cities that make the USA great.
The C-Class Wingsail Catamarans of my youth. I walked out of the house we rented and what did I see? Helios 2 designed by Lock Crowther.
Correction for the bow measurements for the Viola 14 Sailing canoe
What your sailmaker needs to know about making Goat Island Skiff sails. Our stock sails and a lightweight boom design.
Cost of lug sails on unstayed masts is so much cheaper than stayed sloop rigs – and the lug sails take only a few minutes to rig and unrig.
I was looking for a suitable canoe rack to store 2 or 3 canoes above each other to make the most of the available space. But then I decided – make one!
Joost’s family have been using the Viola 14 Sailing Canoe for the last two years camping, sailing (both he and his wife), paddling since building the plywood canoe from the detailed plans
Owner: I am not much interested in racing, but there is no motor mount on this boat, and there never will be. I hate rowing, so the boat has to be able to take me where I want to go under sail. The foils were the first step-this sail completes the journey. :)
What is the best way to tow a tender behind a larger yacht or motorboat? And how does the Goat Island Skiff go as a towed tender?
These cartop spar carriers for a sailing dinghy or sailing canoe carry mast, yard or gaff and boom using the existing straps that tie the dinghy or sailing canoe to the roof.
Joost made them for his Viola 14 Sailing Canoe.
Centrecase Padding reduces centreboard maintenance by protecting the sliding surfaces of rudderbox or Leeboard case on sailing dinghies. We look at low cost ways for padding the centrecase to reduce foil wear and tear.
The Viola 14 is not a normal Sailing Canoe but a sailing dinghy/canoe hybrid from a Boat Plan. Stability of the sailing dinghy with the storage of a canoe and simplified construction. Article by guest writer and Viola 14 prototype builder Joost Engelen.
A video comparing Lug Rig Performance with conventional rigs in a real race. A Goat Island Skiff takes part in a regular club race against Fireballs and Lasers. Where will it end up? Does it actually have a “bad tack” where it can’t compete? The answer might challenge your assumptions about sailing rig performance
The Viola 14 Sailing Canoe has performance of a light Sailing Dinghy, but the portability and easy transportation of a Canoe.4 sheets of 4mm plywood make economical and keep the weight down to 75lbs. There is a balance lug version which can reef easily and two sizes of a modern Bermudan laminate sail.
Discussion of handling light sailboats such as sailing canoes and how some hull design features promote good sailing manners at higher speeds. Taking pressure away from the sailor by making the boats light and predictable despite rough conditions.
Eureka Canoe Launching. And a nice seat method with monofilament. Family canoe by Peter McKenzie and family in Queensland Australia