Hi Steve,

The GIS is probably the lightest boat in its class and is significantly lighter than most boats with the same capacity. Often half or a third of the weight of similar boats. Not many 130lb 16ft boats that will take four adults and still sail really well.

To get less weight you will have to go smaller and with less capacity. That is part of the reason I’ve been drawn to design sailing canoes. People do want lighter and more portable boats. So to cut the width and capacity makes a huge weight savings.

Of my range there is the Viola canoe for one person sailing. And the Kombi Canoe for two.

Best Regards
Michael

Sailing is my passion. I love the design of the GIS, but I need something lighter. I would want to use a balanced lug rig. Any suggestions you might have, I would certainly appreciate!

Fair winds!

Steve

Hi Michael.

If you decide to go ahead with a stitch and glue version please contact me for a revised bottom panel. The current panel for the framed construction is drawn a little oversized and is trimmed after. With stitch and glue, it needs to be accurate.

To make the seams with stitch and glue the outside gets glassed with 2″/50mm wide glass tape.

On the inside, there are several options. Epoxy fillets. Glass tape. Or tiny fillets and glass tape which allows the glass on the inside to take a better radius.

The side arms on the bulkheads should not be omitted.

Yes… you can build with standard ply but the weight of the boat will be about 25% more than the gaboon/okoume plywood version. That is OK. The main thing is to make sure the standard ply is reasonable quality. Don’t use Douglas Fir ply as it checks badly – gets surface cracks in the paint after building.

Best Regards
Michael

HI Jack,

It could be. I would recommend a centrecase and centreboard. I can help provide information to make it into an excellent sailboat. Please email me to talk about what you want to do and if it is feasible.

Best Regards
Michael Storer
storerm@storerboatplans.com

Can this row boat be easily converted to a sail boat?

Jack C.

Hi Dan,

There are some assumptions in the design. Certainly the wide stern compared to many rowing boats will make it somewhat better in terms of the trim not becoming crazy with a passenger in a narrower stern.

My assumption was, that when there was a passenger the idea would be to relax, chat, sightsee etc. So the compensation mechanism is that very wide rowing thwart. Solo … sit conventionally.

Cruising – move as far forward as possible on the wide mid seat (alternate rowlock position) to compensate for the person in the stern.

If wanting to get to places with two aboard then a 10 litre water jug in the bow would pull the bow down … and could only be shipped, filled and emptied when actually needed.

If building a version, like many rowboats, without buoyancy tanks the seat could move to different locations. Would still need the mid frame, but it could be moved further forward to be out of the way of all the mid seat locations.

Twist my arm a little on the two people in the boat aspect. Let’s assume that folks aren’t overweight, a 165 pound rower and 120 pound guest aft. OK? Any pictures with two people aboard? I’m told I’m to mention that I’m a member of the Coots-

Dan

Hi Gil,

Plan is for 6mm (1/4″) plywood. Preferably Gaboon to keep the weight down.

There has been one built with 4mm sides and other components and the 6mm bottom.

THANK YOU
GIL HART