Wind

[Benson Gray]

The old man way:

The very old man way includes a dog as a lookout while you rest.

Benson

 

[Black_Fly]

Some of us like windy days.

Benson


View attachment 154319



View attachment 154320

At what point does it become too windy for those canoes? With no keel, and the relatively narrow hull, I’d guess the are for light winds only.

 

[Boatman53]

I was out in a blow with my wife and a friend we had as the saying goes “a bone in our teeth” and the mast broke. Didn’t end up in the water and didn’t even take a drop. With a lee board down they become quite stable.
Jim

 

[Robin]

I restored this Chestnut Bobs, it’s a fine paddling 15’ lightweight wood canvas canoe, not sure how much wind it can handle.

 

[Benson Gray]

At what point does it become too windy for those canoes?

I don't know. Most canoe sailors are just out for an afternoon of fun, so avoid conditions that aren't pleasant. The leeboards or centerboard perform the same function as a deep keel on a sailboat. Whitecaps are usually the indicator of a 'rocket ride' opportunity if you want one. The black canoe out in whitecaps from my previous message was made in 1927 as shown below and has a 16 pound bronze centerboard. This could probably handle much more severe wind conditions than most people would ever want to endure. The person is much more of a limiting factor than the equipment, like many things.

Benson

 

[ppine]

My main style of sailing a canoe is to lash two boats together or with lines and have 2 bow people hold up a bed sheet.
We have made rooster tails running before the wind with such a configuration. Exhilarating and not really risky.
Reaching in a stiff wind seems like a huge challenge in a canoe.

Adding ballast is the key. They have no keel only lee boards.