Mini Outriggers for Canoes and narrow dinghys Plans PDF

THE DROP-IN MINI OUTRIGGERS – DESIGNER'S COMMENTS

The Mini Outriggers are to add stability to a sailing canoe and help reduce the risk of capsize on other relatively slender boats. They are set above the water to allow a sailing canoe or narrow dinghy to be sailed normally and are intended only to touch down when heel exceeds a certain amount.

Capsize And Recovery

Because the capsize behaviour of your boat will changed A LOT – we strongly recommend practicing capsize and recovery. More information on this website page. Theory is worth nothing – you really have to practice so you know what is required for your boat and your body weight and ability.

Crossbeam
Length – Beam/width of middle hull + 1650mm (Beam/width of middle hull + 65″)
Material – Fir, Pine or other medium density timber with no knots and straight grain

Applications

There are many applications for the Mini Outriggers for Canoes and kayaks. From beginners to allowing an extra margin of safety to experienced sailors doing more adventurous sailing

What The Mini Outriggers For Canoes Don’t Do For Beginner (Canoe) Sailors

For learners and those new to Sailing Canoes, the outrigger hulls do not have sufficient volume for sailing full time with one of the outriggers in the water.

If you want to progress in sailing then every time the outrigger touches the water is a FAIL. It means that you have not adjusted your hiking position or trimmed the sail soon enough.

If you use the outriggers in this way – as a warning that what you are doing is not good technique - then you will progress in your sailing as if the outriggers are not there.

If wanting to sail full time on outriggers then they need to be longer and more slender. And they need two crossbeams because one is not enough when the hulls are longer. I have the Drop In Outrigger Plan for full time sailing on the outrigger hull.

See our plan for the Drop In Outriggers for more volume and length.

What The Mini Outriggers For Canoes Don’t Do For Intermediate Level Sailors

One of the trademarks of Experienced Sailors is that they know what not to do. And they know and have tested all their gear.

They will be practiced in a wide range of conditions … without the outriggers. But they use the outriggers to reduce the problems if something goes wrong or something unexpected happens.

Intermediate sailors must remember that they should only go out in conditions that they would normally go out in. The outriggers will not save you from capsize if a serious mistake is made.