International 10 Sq.m. Sailing Canoe
For over one hundred years racing sailing canoes has fascinated, exasperated, intrigued and even infuriated some of the world’s great sailors. The voyage includes the earliest known recorded planing boats, the second longest standing international sailing event, and the ability to go upwind like a stiletto through butter.
The key features of the Canoe are its relatively small but highly efficient rig, its long, slim and lightweight hull, and of course the sliding seat.
How do you sum up the appeal of the International 10 Square Metre Sailing Canoe in four short paragraphs? "The dry fly of sailing"? (Uffa Fox) "one of the most interesting things that God let man make"? ( L Francis Herreshof) "Oh [deleted]!"? (nearly everyone who’s ever sailed one)?
For well in excess of one hundred years racing sailing canoes has fascinated, exasperated, intrigued and even infuriated some of the world’s great sailors. Along the way decked canoes have provided the earliest known recorded planing boats, the second longest standing international sailing event, an enormous amount of idiosyncratic fun and the ability to go upwind like a stiletto through butter. Sailors who become smitten with the class’ unique challenge often stay sailing them for decades.
The key features of the Canoe are its relatively small but highly efficient rig, its long, slim and lightweight hull, and of course that sliding seat. The "plank" is key to the experience. There’s something very unique about sailing your boat from your perch some feet from the windward side, and while all is going well its a surprisingly relaxing experience. Physically its generally less demanding than a trapeze or wings, but it does bring some extra handling challenges.
No boat can be all things to all men, and its pointless to pretend that this is a mass market boat. But then Château d’Yquem is not a mass market wine, and a pre war blown Bentley is not a mass market car. Some special things are, well, just special, and, unlike the wine or the car, this one isn’t unreasonably expensive...
Latest Web Updates
International Canoe Europa Cup 2022 (03 Aug 2022)
Hayling Island Sailing Club, England
Editor's note. This was the first International event held after the hiatus of the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020 on. Two reports for you here.
The first report, by Phil Robin, first appeared on Yachts and Yachting
Hayling Island SC hosted the International Canoe Nationals and Europa Cup from 18 to 25 July. Competitors enjoyed sailing in Bracklesham Bay in sunny conditions throughout the week in winds ranging from Force 2 to 4.
Unfortunately, some entries were unable to sail having succumbed to Covid and two of the German entries had forgotten that following Brexit, a passport is needed to enter the country, so did not get past customs. First Day
Latest Forum Posts
Plank, Carriage and Mainsail - SE England
From jimc, Thu Aug 11, 2022 9:52 pm
I have a matching plank and carriage and a rather ratty mainsail in the garage from 257. The plank is wood, not particularly light, provenance unknown, and the carriage is carbon foam sandwich of my design and light, but it might be a little underbuilt if you want 17 stone on the end of the plank in a heavy chop. It was fine with my 15 stone on flat water, which is all it has ever been used for.
This is the plank and carriage. Good if you break one and need another in a hurry I should think.
[attachment=0]cropplank.jpg[/attachment]
Price negotiable, not excessive, location Epsom, Surrey. Collection possible from Chichester area with notice.
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