Sailing Conversion System


This Sailing Conversion System is available as plans. Details>>

Discover its features below and place your order for plans.


Sailing Conversion System for Rowboat or Canoe


We’ve designed an add-on sailing rig to add to the versatility of our popular RowCruiser vessel and other rowboats or canoes. This trimaran setup has been carefully designed so the sliding seat rowing system is not impeded by the amas (outriggers) or the sailing rig. This allows for easy transitions between rowing and sailing, or both modes of propulsion can be used simultaneously in lighter winds.

The amas are shaped so that the buoyancy kicks in quickly, providing significant lift with moderate submersion. In addition, the bottoms are shaped to plane easily at low speeds, further reducing friction. In a good breeze the RowCruiser will sail up to 12 knots for fun stable sailing.

The simple elegant ketch rig makes for balanced sailing, and easy deployment. The hollow wood curved laminate akas (cross supports) are a unique design that provide high strength with minimum weight. Each ama weighs exactly 10 lbs., and the akas are just under 10 lbs each.

Click the image below to see the Sailing Conversion System Photo Gallery.
RowCruiser Sailing Rig

 

Building the Sailing Conversion System

Our plans and manual include full-sized templates for the amas, daggerboard, rudder and many other components. Detailed instructions are provided for constructing the amas, akas, sail mounts, daggerboard case, rudder, daggerboard and rigging assembly. Additionally, a list of online retailers and part numbers are provided for all the components required – sails, masts, blocks, lines, etc. Total cost of materials, including the sails, is about $1400.

While this sailing rig has been designed for use with the RowCruiser, it can also be adapted for other long slender boats such as canoes. The curvature of the akas would need to be modified for the particular boat it was going into, and the mast mounts would need to be adapted.

Click here for indepth design details and our inspiration behind this project.

Click here to view linesplans.

Watch a video of the boat below.



 

Sailing Conversion Plans Pricing

To purchase the Sailing Conversion Plans please click on the red link below.

Sailing Conversion Digital Plans & Manual                      $89 USD
Includes PDF files for the full-sized plans and manual that can be printed and DXF files that can be used to cut the plywood at a local CNC shop.

Sailing Conversion Plans & Manual                               $119 USD
Includes full sized plans and manual. DXF files available for an extra $10.