I am in the planning stages of building an outrigger sailing canoe and the
biggest question I need to answer for myself right now is how long to make it.


http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/garyd/plans.html

The plans state very clearly how to stretch the length and the designer has
recommended making it 27' if I want to carry three to four people. The plans
are drawn for an 18' version but can, and has, been lengthened up to 36'.

Here is the dillemma. There are pro's and con's for each but I am not sure
what the future will hold, so now I am asking others out there what
experiences they might have had.

I will mostly be using it by myself or with one other person but may want to
take a third or even a fourth out. I think that at 18' three people would be
okay but would show some decrease in performance while four people would be
almost impossible. The 18' boat will wiegh in around 90-110 pounds fully
rigged while the 27' would be more like 130-160 pounds.

Reasons to go with the 18' a
Shorter build time
Cheaper construction materials costs
easier to launch solo
easier to sail solo
easier to trailer and build/buy trailer
able to be paddled by two people
lighter

Reasons to go with the 27' a
higher capacity for crew/ passengers
able to sail to Catalina and back in a weekend (a trip I may want to do but
not the main purpose of the boat)
slightly faster boat and could possibly also handle a jib sheet
more room for equipment for weekend trips or batteries for lights/ night
safety gear.
needs three people to effectively paddle

I can't really think of much else but I don't have any experience building my
own boats and my really want something I can take out and practice sailing
but I don't want to outgrow this boat in a few years.

I can't really start doing materials calculations until I know what size I
want to build so I would really appreciate any help or advice on this.

Thanks,
Bill

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