CANOE SAILS.
Almost every conceivable rig and sail has been tried on canoes— cutter, sloop, schooner, yawl, dandy, and even top-sail schooner have appeared; gaff sails, Chinese lugs, standing lugs, dipping lugs, balance lugs, sprit sails, settee sails, lateen sails, sliding ganters, sliding sprits, split lugs, and leg-of-mutton sails have all been tested. Now, for racing, the balance lug main-and-mizen rig is the common favourite.
These two working sails and a spinnaker for running appear to give the best all-round results. Topsails and jibs are often used, but they are difficult to handle—not of much value as drivers, and they require a considerable amount of extra gear.
It has been pointed out that the peculiarities of a canoe considerably dictate the forms and positions of her fittings ; but the position of her masts depends to a great extent on the situation of her centre-board or boards, and that the proportions and positions of her sails must be agree able to the centre of lateral resistance. We now come to the consideration of the various rigs and rigging adaptable to the requirements of the canoe; and, whilst considering the subject of sails, it will be well to bear in mind that the particular cut or shape—such, for instance, as a high peaked head versus a low or square head—can be indulged in in accord ance with individual ideas of beauty, to any extent, so long as the relative areas and position of the centre of effort are not disturbed in relation to the centre of lateral resistance.
It has often been contended, on paper, that the most perfect rig for going to windward is that which has two sails, the large or driving-sail aft, and the small or balancing sail forward. This plan is not always the best for canoes, even apart from the peculiar requirements of the canoe.
In a cutter yacht, where the main sheet is never started, and the vessel can be allowed to lie over till the wind passes over her sails, the mainsail is properly the after sail ; but in boats and canoes which cannot be safely permitted to lie down and drag through a squall, the chief sail should undoubtedly have its centre forward of midships, and should be supplemented by a balancing sail the shape of a mizen.
A jib in canoes is a troublesome snare, its driving power is com paratively small, and it is only in play when the wind is abeam or forward of the beam ; yet it entails a lot of extra gear, requires constant watching, and in a really bad squall is suicidal to the boat.
The two-sail rig is, however, handy and effective on all points of sailing and manoeuvring, " before the wind" both main and mizen are " drawing well," and in a squall when on-a-wind the mizen lulls the boat, and the pressure is taken off her by spilling or reducing the big sail ; the centre of gravity of the mainsail is forward of the centre of lateral resistance, consequently by spilling the mainsail the centre of effort of sail is thrown aft, and the boat Tuffs sharply; or, for bearing away, the main sheet is kept flat in and the mizen eased up, the centre of effort thereby being thrown forward, and the canoe goes off the wind; both manceuvres being, of course, greatly facilitated by the judicious use of helm and centre-board. The two-sail rig, supplemented, of course, by efficient handling and reefing gear, should not too lightly be cast aside in favour of some, perhaps, prettier fancy rig, for in a really bad and lasting squall in open water, the presence of the above qualities will decide whether the canoe will live through it or not.