On the Volta River

On the Volta River
First sail!

Monday, November 15, 2010

I would like to hear from any sailors out there who sail canoes for input etc.

The canoe sails as a proa.  It shunts instead of coming about.  There is no tiller, you steer with the sheets.  It works well, sails itself once it's trimmed.  Changes direction as the wind changes to keep on the same point of sail relative to the wind.  It is very maneuverable (spell?).  You can spin like a top, put it in reverse if you like.  I did it this way for simplicity.  If sudden steering is required (aligator or rock in the way) the paddle is used very effectively. 

One person can paddle it at hull speed very easily.  I tried it with kayak paddle at first but found the slalom paddle to work best.  It tracks very well.

I will be going back to Ghana this spring to finish the boat and begin some expeditions.  Hope to have some more photos and interesting developements then.