Recreating the elegance and adventure of sailing in the late 19th century
I build and sail wooden boats for my own pleasure. I also enjoy designing them and developing the practical details. Starting with traditional shapes and methods, I hope that by applying my own skills and experience as an engineer I can refine my designs and incorporate more modern ideas and materials.
Sailing canoe history
Canoe sailing and exploration began in Britain in the 1860’s inspired by the writings of John “Rob Roy” Mac Gregor and his voyages to the Baltic, Europe and the river Jordan in a decked double paddle canoe with a sail. From this beginning the sport was taken up enthusiastically by young gentlemen, particularly in Britain and America. Clubs were formed, refinements were added to canoes, and design evolution continued to the end of the century.
Canoes used for racing gained the benefit of sliding seats and the consequent possibility of increased sail area, finally becoming the 10 sq meter international sailing canoe class still raced today.
Canoes used for cruising in Britain became wider and heavier. Termed “canoe yawls” they now had to be rowed with oars, but were still made short enough to fit in a railway wagon for transport to more distant cruising grounds. Some designers, for example George Holmes on the Humber, futher enlarged these boats to make space for a small enclosed cabin and make them more seaworthy for longer voyages. These “pocket cruisers” were the forerunners of the current, mass market, small family cruising yachts, which enable those other than the very rich to go to sea for pleasure.
Very few examples of the earlier type of sailing canoe suitable for all round use survive, except in museums, so you will be unlikely to see one sailing in British waters. However, over the last 20 years, the idea of adding a simple sail to an open paddling canoe has been promoted by John Bull who formed the Open Canoe Sailing Group and a company called Solway Dory who now produce a range of modern sailing canoes.