CartPortability!
Nothing in our kit is over 4 feet long when folded. Nothing is screwed or bolted to your canoe! The complete folded kit fits in a bag and once you zip it up, it looks like a set of golf clubs - it's that compact. Weight of most kits is in the 35 - 40 lb. range. They fit easily in the trunk of a small car with room to spare and store in a closet or even under a bed! Below is a photo of the complete kit dissassembled in a carry bag.
To make setup and packup fast and easy, we use snap-together connections and clamping u-bolt connections with star-knob nuts (like wingnuts). No tools are required after initial assembly to setup your rig for sailing or to take it apart for transport and storage. Initial assembly is done once only and requires a screwdriver and wrench.
Performance!
Our sail rigs are made tough, to stand up to wind, waves, and salt water. All parts are made from corrosion resistant materials like anodized aluminum, high-performance plastics, and stainless steel. You will be impressed with the quality. Read our testimonials page to see what other buyers say.
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The front assembly has no foot brace and instead the mast is braced horizontally by a piece we call the "bowsprit" running between two crossbars. The mast is 2 feet forward of the main front crossbar (universal receiver), mounted to the bowsprit and the leeboards conveniently snap in and out of the main front crossbar. Stabilizer float arms slide into the other channel of the main front crossbar, shown in photo below left. |
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The configuration is quite versatile in how it can be set up. The smaller crossbar can be farther back (aft) or farther forward along the bowsprit if that is convenient. The bowsprit can run over or under the smaller crossbar. In this photo, it goes under because the canoe has up-curving gunwales and so mounting the bowsprit on top of the main front crossbar and then under the smaller front crossbar levels it out. The mast can be anywhere along the bowsprit, though the best position for steering balance is usually about two feet forward of the main front crossbar. |
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Note that our oarpin clamps onto the oar holding the oar in place so the blade stays vertical and the shaft doesn't slide through the oarpin even if you let go of the tiller momentarily. A short strap secures the oarpin in place so it doesn't pop out when you're not looking and float away. |
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The fully attached canoe sail kit with our rainbow stripes sail. (Sail D) |
What’s included?
Everything needed to sail except wind, water and you! Our sail kits include:
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Leeboards to allow you to sail crosswind and upwind as well as downwind. Leeboard perform the same function as a centerboard or keel in this respect and they work just as well. Any of these devices is nothing but a vertical fin in the water making it easier for the boat to go forward and harder for it to slip sideways. Leeboards are mounted onto our frame on both sides of your boat. You do not need to fiddle with the leeboards while sailing -- just leave them down. You can sail right into the beach and the leeboards will kick up by themselves.
Leeboards are for directional stability, not for anti-capsizing stability. If you want additional protection against the risk of capsizing, our sail kits accept our stabilizer pontoons on outrigger arms. We offer both inflatable and streamlined rigid plastic pontoons. Some of our kits include pontoons and the rest can be outfitted with pontoons by ordering either our streamlined rigid plastic pontoons or our ethafoam pontoons.
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Steering oar and oarpin that function like a rudder, allowing you to steer with one hand. The steering oar can double as a paddle or oar if you need to move by muscle power. Most standard kits come with one steering oar. You would never use 2 at the same time, but it is nice to be able to change steering hands without having to move the oar from one side to the other. Click for more info on steering-oar steering.
Note: Steering oars come with ½” diameter pins that clamp onto each oar. The pin is inserted into a socket in the rear crossbar of the aluminum frame. There are sockets on both sides. We provide a strap to hold the oar in its socket if you want. The pin provide a pivot for the oar and the fact that it clamps on tightly and strap in place means you don't have to worry about the orientation of the blade and you can even let go of it momentarily if you need both hands for something else and the steering oar will not slip away.
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Mast, sail, and spars (spars are also known as the boom and gaff -- these are aluminum poles the sail is mounted onto)
Halyard rope (which raises and lowers the sail), and sheet rope (which you hold to control the angle of the sail.
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Mast step holds up the mast and is a sturdy welded socket that clamps to the frame. Some people are surprised the mast step does the whole job of holding up the mast with no guy wires (shrouds). It does! We've never had a customer report a failed mast step. Not having wires or ropes bracing the mast speeds assembly and makes for a less-cluttered boat when sailing.
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Mast slide performs the function of a gooseneck. It connects the boom to the mast while allowing the boom to swivel in the horizontal plane so the sail can catch the wind properly depending on wind direction. It also allows the boom to pivot up, so it won't break if someone lifts the boom. This ability to pivot the boom upward also allows you to bundle the spars and sail together and raise the whole spar and sail assembly vertically against the mast to get them out of the way if you want to row, paddle, fish, motor or whatever without the sail deployed.
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Straps and clamps.
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Detailed instructions with photos. Instructions cover everything:initial assembly, installation and removal from your boat, and how to sail. We supplement some instructions with videos. We've gotten lots of compliments on our instructions and we're always here to answer questions.
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