Windsurfer Sails for Sailboat
 

I am thinking of getting a rowing pram dinghy and adding sail
capability. What are the advantages/disadvantages of using a
windsurfer rig – it would be nice to get a two-fer, if possible. I am
also thinking of a leeboard for lateral stability.

TIA

J

Windsurfer Sails for Sailboat
 

JohnD,

I think there is a whole lot you do not quite understand about the problem.

Adding a sail is never easy.

Why don't you hunt up a more or less complete sailing dink and start there.

Matt Colie
Lifelong Waterman, Licensed Mariner and Pathological Sailor

JohnD wrote:
I am thinking of getting a rowing pram dinghy and adding sail
capability. What are the advantages/disadvantages of using a
windsurfer rig – it would be nice to get a two-fer, if possible. I am
also thinking of a leeboard for lateral stability.

TIA

J

Windsurfer Sails for Sailboat
 

JohnD wrote:

I am thinking of getting a rowing pram dinghy and adding sail
capability. What are the advantages/disadvantages of using a
windsurfer rig – it would be nice to get a two-fer, if possible. I am
also thinking of a leeboard for lateral stability.

TIA

J

Not to put a Kabosh on things, but I see several problems. If you are
the adventurous type that loves to experiment and likes swimming, go ahead.

The boat will have to be beamy to be stable under sail. A good rowing
boat is narrow (think canoe and Whitehall.)

The windsurfer rig is designed to rotate 360 degrees and have someone
standing up to turn it and to provide stability. I assume that you would
want to sail sitting down.

'Twould be better to design a small sprit sailing rig. It would suit the
boat better. You could learn sailmaking along the way. Researching and
designing this could be a enjoyable project.

It's up to you. The big thing is to have fun.

Tom
of the Swee****er Sea
St. Paul, MN

Windsurfer Sails for Sailboat
 

Well Tom...
As a yacht designer and professional boatbuilder, I would say go for
it! Despite what the previous post say, this is some ground that has
been covered pretty well already. The best thing to do is look at the
size of the boat you are dealing with, estimate the size rig based on
a study of similar craft, and then find a suitable windsurfer rig to
fit. The dynamics of sailing tyhe thing aren't going to be much
different. Essentially you are opting for a free-standing rig that is
pre-cambered and very efficient. It's not going to be as efficient on
the boat you suggest because it just isn not all that fast to begin
with. It's a worthwhile endeavor though

Tom Shilson wrote in message ...
JohnD wrote:

I am thinking of getting a rowing pram dinghy and adding sail
capability. What are the advantages/disadvantages of using a
windsurfer rig – it would be nice to get a two-fer, if possible. I am
also thinking of a leeboard for lateral stability.

TIA

J

Not to put a Kabosh on things, but I see several problems. If you are
the adventurous type that loves to experiment and likes swimming, go ahead.

The boat will have to be beamy to be stable under sail. A good rowing
boat is narrow (think canoe and Whitehall.)

The windsurfer rig is designed to rotate 360 degrees and have someone
standing up to turn it and to provide stability. I assume that you would
want to sail sitting down.

'Twould be better to design a small sprit sailing rig. It would suit the
boat better. You could learn sailmaking along the way. Researching and
designing this could be a enjoyable project.

It's up to you. The big thing is to have fun.

Tom
of the Swee****er Sea
St. Paul, MN