Comparing Lug and Bermudan Rigs On One Hull Type
Comparing Lug and Bermudan Rigs is usually unscientific and opinion based. Joost has three rigs on his Viola Sailing Canoe. So a less biased comparison
Cruising dinghy
Faster Reefing System for Cruising Dinghies
Goat Island Skiff group has developed a faster reefing system for cruising dinghies. No special fittings are needed so quick cheap and simple
Venturi Dinghy Self Bailers for Cruising and RAID Dinghies, A good idea?
Venturi Dinghy Self Bailers and Does your Sailing Dinghy need them? – Storer Boat Plans in Wood and Plywood
Checklist for choosing and fitting Dinghy Self Bailers to sail boats. Why they suit some boats but not others. Suitability for different events and uses.
Extraordinary Boat (Sold) #2 – 12ft sailing dinghy UK
This boat was intended to be a minimal river and open water racer for two lightweight experienced sailors (or one larger one) – big sail for the fluctuating conditions, light enough to plane consistently and cartop portable – it was also based on the Oz Goose built with incredible attention to detail. It requires a small amount of work to complete.
VIDEO Cruising Dinghy Italy – Day5 – Genova – Varazze.
5th Day cruising and boat handling tips. from Genova to Varazze on a homemade dinghy, Goat Island Skiff.
Video Goat Island Skiff Cruising – Day 3 Sestri Levante – Camogli
Video of Third cruising day of the “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.
Goat Island Skiff Dinghy Cruising Liguria – Day 2 (Levanto – Sestri Levante)
Video Dinghy Cruising 2nd day of the “Liguria Project”, East to West along the coast. Bocca di Magra to Bordighera on a homemade Goat Island Skiff
Goat Island Skiff Cruising Liguria – Day 1 (Bocca di Magra-Levanto)
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.
Rig Cost Comparison. Freestanding Yawl vs Stayed Sloop
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.
2 years Viola 14 Sailing Canoe in Plywood – Part 2
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
How to tow a dinghy behind a yacht – Goat Island Skiff case study.
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?
Inexpensive Centrecase Padding Reduces Rudder Centreboard Maintenance
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.
20 ways to boost Lug rig and lug sail performance! Rigging and Tuning.
All our lug rig information on one page. We have seen the change from the balance lug being almost forgotten to becoming the predominant rig for small self built wooden boat. This was the situation a hundred years ago. We can still use the cheapness and effectiveness of this rig to create boats with very quick and pleasant sailing characteristic.
Netherlands Epic Canal and Lake Race BRIO 2017 – Goat Island Skiff
The BRIO Sailing Marathon is a very competitive sail and paddle event in the Netherlands. Joost and Viola in their Goat Island Skiff went in the 2017 event. Against the specialised boats that enter the event they ended coming in 57th of 139.
Dutch Goat Island Skiff Third in Caledonia RAID 2009 – Story
The GIS excels at a competive row and sail event. The Caledonia RAID is one of the oldest events of its type. A competitive multi day event that crosses Scotland from West to East including a crossing of Loch Lomond. It tends to attract long and efficient rowing sailing hulls. And here was one of the shortest, simplest and lightest hulls in the fleet punching well above its weight
Achieve best Cost/Performance with Traditional Sailing Rigs – Balance, standing lugs and sprit rig sails
A guide for choosing cheaper alternative rigs. Balance Lug, Standing Lug, Sprit, Lateen and more. These rigs typically save a lot of money over conventional sailplans and set up right offer much the same performance. They respond to the same principles. Are boomless sails OK?
Wearing lifejackets and how to get kids to wear them too! Personal Flotation Devices – PFD1, PFD2, PFD3
Three times in my life I have gone sailing in small boats without a lifejacket. Two times the boat sank. One time I capsized and found that swimming and trying to get back on the boat is very difficult in FRESH water. Also a hint about how to get kids to wear their lifejackets … wear YOURS!
Which first sailing boat to choose for learning to sail? New, Build or Secondhand?
If you want to go sailing what is the best way to get a sailing dinghy? Maybe build but most will buy a sail boat secondhand. How do you pick a good used sailing boat? We show you how.
FAQ – Building a strip canoe or kayak that can handle some impact in the surf or with rocks. Cedar Paulownia
IMPACT! How hard is your boat going to hit something. For most of us it won’t be very hard at all. So it is better to save weight. For expeditioners they may require a lot more from their boats. What are the strategies one can think about?