How does the Viola work now Joost and his family have been using this plywood Viola 14 Sailing Canoe for the last two years for a wide range of family and solo sailing activities using the 3 Canoe Rig choices?
Photo Right is Viola, Joost’s Partner, sailing the Viola! She plans to enter one of the Netherland’s RAID events
We as a family, have been extremely happy with our Goat Island Skiff called GISwerk since we built her in 2008.
She has been taken the boat to various raid events suitable for sailing dinghies in the Netherlands and elsewhere in Europe. She placed third in the Caledonia RAID our first serious event.
Since then we have been gradually introducing our children into social racing and distance events as well.
Changing Family Requirements for a Sailing Boat
Having two children since, we found ourselves not sailing as much as we liked and were looking for a boat that was more easily taken for an entertaining afternoon spin.
The Goat Island Skiff only weighs 60kg, but it does need to be trailered. How about something on roofracks weighing half that?
Having got to know Michael Storer (designer of the Goat Island Skiff) a bit over the years through our email correspondence and his forum/Facebook groups.
I sent him a message mid 2014 that I liked the Aquamuse canoe for its looks, simplicity and low weight. Also that the canoe form canoe can so easily be car topped and put in the water almost anywhere.
I told Michael that I was looking for something similar available for the home builder but having better sailing performance. I asked him whether knew of a boat that would tick the boxes.
Secretly I was hoping that Michael would be able to easily modify his existing Beth design (check it out – photo on right. Nicest looking box you have ever seen sporting a yawl canoe rig with 2 balanced lug sails!).
Something a bit smaller, more modern and with only one sail.
Michael liked the idea (i.e. simple, very lightweight modern performance sailing canoe of modest dimensions). So we frantically started discussing ideas and design parameters.
Only one week later did he have the line plan ready, which is a 5 hull panel stitch and tape design like his brilliant Eureka canoe.
Plans and Materials for the Viola 14 Sailing Canoe
Michael consequently provided me with the necessary drawings allowing me to build the prototype Viola 14 canoe.
Four sheets of 4mm (5/32”) plywood. Not much timber, light glass cloth, tape and epoxy. Ensuring a relatively easy, cheap and quick build.
Aluminium tubing for spars keeps the canoe rig cost down
The mast sections for the three canoe rigs are made from standard aluminium tubing which is easily sourced in most developed countries. Or a timber mast for the lug canoe rig version where aluminium tube is unavailable.
Although sharing the general dimensions with other popular sailing canoes like the Japanese Aquamuse and the English Solway Dory Fulmar, the idea behind the Viola 14 hull is very different:
The hull is asymmetrical and has its greatest width aft.
The flat aft sections give much stability for sailing and handling and power compared to the Solway, Aquamuse and other Sailing Canoe variants
The bow is fine presenting an easy entry to the water.
The boat has been fitted with a properly dimensioned dagger board centred in the middle of the boat for the best hydrodynamic performance.
A normal tiller & tiller extension arrangement are fitted typical for a performance dinghy.
There is one large buoyancy tank on each side of the boat, which also form the seats, ensuring that the boat is easily recovered from a capsize and providing excellent hull stiffness
Leaning straps are fitted and necessary to keep the boat up in stronger winds.
Modern looks
Choosing a Rig for the plywood Sailing Canoe. What will appeal to the Mainstream? What else to try?
We discussed the canoe rig at length and after first considering putting an existing rig on the boat (for example the smaller 4.2 m2 Topper dinghy rig).
Michael ultimately settled on a 4.7m2 (50 ft2) modern laminate fathead sail canoe rig on aluminium spars. A good boost ofperformance and to create something really new and special among lightweight simply built boats. This will suit most sailors.
All usual sail controls for this type of dinghy rig are present and the boat is a dream to sail. Very fast and responsive, fun and easy to control.
Viola my wife, who hasn’t sailed by herself for some years said:
“What a simple and fun boat”
After this experience we knew that the boat would be able to handle a bit more sail area and Michael drew a second larger 6.0 m2 (65 ft2) fathead sail.
We were a bit worried about helm balance, but it all worked out because of the variable rake centreboard.
This sail is for lighter conditions, the experienced and/or heavier persons only though. It can be quite a beast to handle due to the longer mast length and higher centre of effort. It rewards you with an exciting sail if you are up to it!
AND, our favourite canoe rig for Touring – a Powerful Balance Lug Sail
Raid type of sailing was always in the back of my mind as well for this boat.
Although uncertain about large open water or true expedition sailing as the boat is completely open, I thought that it could do well on the protected lakes, rivers and canals in the Netherlands.
As such Michael developed a third canoe rig for the boat which is a balanced lug rig What else, this is the type of rig that Michael is known for!
The photo right shows the fleet. Hard to imagine such and open boat as Viola was one of the best in the rough stuff.
This sail is the largest one at 6.3 m2 (68 ft2) but it sports 3 reefs. Thus, allowing one to decrease sail area quickly. Almost to the size of a handkerchief. The centre of effort is lower than on the large fathead sail.
This canoe’s rig is a dream to handle with its light spars. I can easily stand without going to shore and pull the mast out when going under a low bridge and put it back after.
Naturally it feels softer in comparison to the fathead sails. But the sail shape is excellent with its battened roach and it is beautiful and quite powerful.
A wooden paddling seat accessory for the Viola Sailing Canoe
Because of Viola’s beam I experimented with single and double paddles and mused about oars.
A longer double paddle worked best but the paddler needed to be higher (up)!
A self-designed small plywood kayak style seat was made.
It folds up and sits in the back of the Sailing Canoe when not in use. It doesn’t weigh much.
Propeeling the canoe along with a 280cm long double bladed kayak paddle and she moves quickly enough under paddle power.
Summary of 2 years with a Lightweight plywood paddling and sailing canoe – Viola 14 boat plan
I tested the balanced lug rig and paddling during the 2017 Dorestad 4-day raid event in the Netherlands in a range of conditions ( Bft 2- Bft 6). The boat did extremely well.
Over the past two sailing seasons I have tested the boat in a range of conditions.
Video image can take a moment to load.
I love it! In my (biased) opinion, the Viola 14 provides much in a small package.
1/ As a performance dinghy
It may attract both male and female sailors who sailed a Laser, Topper or similar boat before and are looking to get back into sailing a fast boat.
However a fast boat that is however easier to handle and control and cheaper to put on the water.
2/ A sailing Dinghy for Women and a Growing Family
Nice for teenagers finding the Opti a bit cramped. Great for a couple of hours of fun on the water or for more adventurous sailing.
The 4.7 rig or the lug rig with one reef will match many women sailors. The more powerful and experienced can always pull the reef out of course.
3/ An easily transported boat for relaxed or ambitious Holiday Sailing
I also think that it is a good boat for a family to take with them on holidays. This is the versatility of the various rigs (not to mention the extreme versatility of the lug rig. A then, there’s possibility to paddle the boat.
4/ Sail and Oar Boat for RAIDs, Expeditions and Crusing
In moderate conditions and with some small adjustments it quite capable as a sail and oar (ahem paddle) boat. Even when there is a need to carry a lot of gear onboard (after all she is completely open).
She is also also quite suited to light camping with a couple of dry bags, trialled two weekends ago.
We did a 5 day trip through the canals, rivers and under the plentiful bridges of the Fresian Lakes.
Stability for safe sailing and for reefing – not to mentions the low bridges in the Netherlands!
The huge stability of the Viola allows me to raise and lower the mast afloat coming up to a bridge. Hauling the sail up and down while afloat is trivial.
Viola was a similar speed to a much narrower Artemis canoe without needing a hiking plank.
Viola was only very slightly slower paddling than the 2ft longer paddling-oriented Artemis.
Main dimensions of the Viola 14 Sailing Canoe Boat Plan
Length 425cm (14 ft)
Width 100cm (40 inches)
Draft board lifted 10cm (4 inches)
Hull weight 34 kg (75 lbs)
Small fathead sail 4.7m2 (50 ft2) – 1 reef
Large fathead sail 6.0m2 (65 ft2) – 1 reef
The fathead sails use the same bottom mast section and boom to minimise cost
