This is a story about sailing by a nonsailor. I love sailing,
it is cool and quiet and free. All things that have a special
appeal to me. I object to wind rocking the boat and water coming
in on my side of the hull plus I cannot remember a jibe from a
snotter, really cool terms, but too many of them. I love the adventure
of the Texas 200, the OBX 130, the everglades challenge and the
many sailing adventures your contributors bring to life on a daily
basis.
Which brings me to this "how can the cowardly lion learn
to roar?" I started with a small (2 foot) sail held up by
two PVC poles on my three piece canoe, ruby. This worked to a
degree and no problems so far.
Then in Duckworks I read an article about using two small rectangular
sails that moved together etc. Bingo, what if you made a light
sail that would rotate and put that in a light canoe like my Drag
Boat.
I used thin plastic that you can see through, duck tape and
light PVC tubes. I made the sail 42 inches square and used no
glue on the PVC so the sail can be taken apart and stowed in the
bow. I inserted the sail in a larger PVC holder that allows it
to spin freely. I can hold it with a hand or foot, steer with
a paddle and have it up or down in 10 seconds. The chicken lion
roars or at least it growls.
It's good so far. I have had gusts that popped the frame apart
but everything reassembles in seconds and the unglued PVC serves
as a relief valve for sissy sailors.
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