Make Life Better with a Sailboat-in-a-Closet

Step 7 Sail the next version on a local lake

This was actually version 2.1. Version 2 almost killed me but see that story by googling "My Bloody First Day with the Crabclaw" on the Proafile Magazine. Version 2.2 uses a modified Polynesian style rig but the mast stays fixed rather than tilts on each shunt (Harmen Hielkemma's design: read books and web sites about all this, no time here today and not important for The Cure); that way, when the boat capsizes, the mast stays there and slows down the ama that wants to turn a complete arc and hit you on the head. On a good day the boat will even float a minute with the float in the air, held at 90 degrees by the wooden spars in the water; excellent! You see the detached leeboard (also is a windwardboard) (central hull attachment, swings fore and aft for steering and trim and shunting adjustments), and please note the more graceful looking ama (float). The sail is "brailed up" for securing at shore, but is also a wonderful thing when 20-25 mph winds threaten your afternoon in choppy sea, and you need to calm down a little.

Comments

[DAG1030]

 I read the first day with crab claw. Excellent!...perhaps I should be working instead of dreaming about finishing the sail rig for my canoe...Oh well, it's almost summer and my students are slacking anyway...

What made you decide to use a crab claw? Was it merely the allure of the pacific proa? Is shunting awkward? I'm considering using a lateen or leg of mutton, but have considered the crab claw.

[Wade Tarzia]

The crabclaw sail and more importantly the "crane rig" of a shunting crabclaw relfected my desire to experience a different way of sailing that some Polynesians invented -- a very nonwestern mode of changing a sailboat direction. The mode is suited to the materials and sailing mission (if you will) of the Pacific outrigger or "proa." There is a good Wikipedia essay on the proa. 

This rig does have some advantages, though for making frequent tacks especially in a narrow body of water, the extra time taken for a shunt (contra a tack) is not useful.  In larger rigs, shutning a crabclaw is best done witgh at least two experienced crew. The large heavy rigs of traditional Micronesian proas for instance really require three experienced crew to make the practise safe in rougher conditions, so you see its problem for the solo sailor.  My next outrigger went back to the western style rig you see in my mewest instructable.

[DAG1030]

 Thanks for the response. Here in the western part of Texas, our lakes are fairly narrow. They are rivers or creeks dammed up in canyons. I was considering a shunting rig for my canoe, but I couldn't get past the idea of having to shunt very frequently due to the sizes and shapes of the local lakes.