Foamey Yak

[GPW]

Whitewater... The only white water we had here was when the rain washed the fresh gripper off the trailer ... Thinking EPP and Kevlar .... Unbreakable ..

We, however wanted something more sedate ... just something for those shallow quiet fishing areas (the points) ... Sorta’ like this : Simple ... Unsinkable ... wide enough to stand up in and cast ... ~ 40” W ... just big enough to fit in the back of the pickup ... Foam , 1/4” ply spine , covered in a light canvas per the usual ... painted “Duck blind green” ... the fish can see too ...

[clermont cubby]

Applied mast thwart and mast step. Built a seating platform because I know the foam will not support my weight. Painted with porch emamel.

Seat platform with mast step attached

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Ready to sail or paddle.

Sail up

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Going to try to sail this using a paddle as an oar and without leeboard. Will attempt to use the boat chine (side) to act as a leeboard. Have Plan "B" if a leeboard is necessary.

Larry

[GPW]

That looks TERRIFIC!!! You may need the board on a tack ...

[clermont cubby]

GPW,

Thanks. I most likely will have to add a leeboard, but there have been others successful in tacking by digging in the chines as you tack.

I attached a link of a West Mersea Duck Punt sailing san leeboard. Interesting view.

http://youtu.be/dy4_wlqoiNI

Thanks

Larry

[CampsALot]

Looks really cool!

You sure don't wast any time putting things together !

Warren

[clermont cubby]

Thanks Warren'

Benefit of being retired. Worst part, I always seem to build in the heat of the Florida summer.

Larry

[clermont cubby]

Took the foamy yak out for a sail Winds were light, 4-6 SE Mph. All went very well. Sailed great by digging in the Chines (lower edge) of the boat Was able to tack just fine. The light winds were perfect conditions for testing the sail. Sure it will be more challenging with heavier winds.

I find its best to sail in a prone position with one leg resting on the opposite
Side you are sitting. Just the the English duck punt videos on You Tube.

Have a little water leakage at the Chines. Need to remove bottom skids and re seal.

Overall very pleased. Will try to post pics when I have a chance.

Larry

[clermont cubby]

Pic of me just beginning to sail the Yak. Sorry for the quality, friend took the pic with his cell phone. Have some video that I may try to upload at a later time. These little boats make a nice addition to our TDs. Can sail, paddle or row easily.

Larry

Getting ready for paddle on Silver River

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[Jdw2717]

I love it! I would love to some video.

[CampsALot]

What sail rig are you using?
Is tthat from another boat or homemade?

I have a 10' skiff that I'd love to put a small sail on.

Warren

'Action' shots are great by the way

[clermont cubby]

Warren:

Its a homemade LOM sail (Leg Of Mutton). Go the pdracer.com web site and search for homemade sails. The example they show is for a 59 sq ft area LOM sail. The mast is approx. 16' tall. I only wanted a 35 sq ft sail - 12' tall mast so I resized the original dim. I used a heavy white polytarp, carpet tape to secure the edges and my wife sewed the edges for additional strength.

I also have a 45 sq ft ready made nylon sail from sailboats to go.com . Made the mast and spars from PVC pipe strengthend with metal conduit inside. That may fit your needs better.

Larry

45 sq ft sail

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[clermont cubby]

Posted a video of me sailing the foamie yak on a different thread . I cant be more pleased with the boat using foam. Very lightweight easy to sail. Easy to build.

The sailing conditions were 5-7 mph winds with gusts up to 10mph. Boat handles well by using the kayak paddle as rudder. Use my teardrop as the trailer. This boat is also great for fishing the flats. Very little draft. Easy to paddle.

Larry

[eaglesdare]

That is really cool! Great job and glad it worked and you are really using it.

[Wobbly Wheels]

FWIW, I'm putting a sail rig on an 11' rowboat I have. I got an 80's windsurf rig on cl for $25 with an unused battened sail and an older unbattened one. I need to make a stub for the mast to slide down onto, but it looks like it should work...and the price was right !

It seems you've been chasing that chine leak for a while - do you think it's a construction issue or is it from the hull wracking under sail ? If the latter, it might help to work in some chine logs and frames.

[clermont cubby]

WW,

Pretty much have the leak solved. Believe it is a construction detail that I will address this winter. The seepage is minimal. Maybe 1/8" in a hour to hour and half. I have a bilge pump on board, two sponges (LOL) that handles the leak.

I believe the framework is strong enough to handle the stress.


I would go ahead and add a sail and leeboard to your boat. I think the hardest part is working out the center of effort of the sail to locate the leeboard properly. Wished more people would take up sailing. Easier than rowing and uses 0 fuel. Easier on a retirement income.


Thanks,
Larry