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Sailing With Dagger Board Keels from Spring Creek Spring Creek Outfitters' sailing rig includes two dagger boards (which look like small paddles) which bolt to the ends of an adjustable bracket and in running position slice through the water on either side of the boat. The reason you need these attachable canoe keels is that in most situations the sail will be just as happy pushing or pulling the boat sideways as well as forward. Keel boards provide a resistance to that sideways force, and instead the boat moves forward under the guidance of the tiller. Keel boards also increase the drag. Try paddling with the keel boards down and you'll feel the difference. Try sailing without them and you'll grow to love keel boards. Without them you can't control the boat. The only time I don't use keel boards or dagger boards as they're also called is in extremely light wind, when even that much resistance in the water is too much. Since the Bear Creek Mirage I sail does have a minimal keel already, when there's only a five mph breeze I can get by with the keel boards raised, or with only one down. From light wind to strong wind, the range of settings you'll find useful include keels up, keels angled 45 degrees to the stern, running with one keel down on the lee side of the boat (the side canted towards the water), and running with both keels down and vertical. In a strong wind you'll need all the keel you have to move upwind on a beat, and downwind in a good breeze you won't have much control of the boat without both of them set. Positioning is critically important. The best location is at the center of the boat where the blades of the keels cut the water exactly parallel to the boat. Pull them back a little and there's a slight angle that produces some useful drag. A perfectly tuned boat with keel boards set exactly right and the sheet tied off will be happy sailing off without you if you happen to fall overboard. Setting the keels back just far enough to create some drag will cause a boat to circle and stop if nobody's at the tiller. That's where most people recommend you set the keel boards, just far enough back to create that safety feature. Keel boards are necessary equipment but a true pain in the hinder. To keep them set they'll need adjustment and tightening periodically, since wave action tends to knock them loose. Working on the keel boards while out on a windy lake seems like one of the most likely times for falling overboard. The outriggers keep the boat from tipping when you're involved with mechanical problems -- I never sail without them. |
Keel Boards Most canoes and kayaks have almost no keel -- smooth hulls shaped for quick turns don't grip. Without keel boards you'll be pushed downwind even on a beat. Tacking and Beating Shifting sail from side to side quickly when changing course on a beat (going upwind) is what we call tacking. In a converted canoe we also call it a clusterf---. Jibing, Running and Reaching The fast way to travel will also get you into serious trouble without constant planning. Setting a Course Sailing is easy. Getting where you want to go by sailing there isn't. Some tips for journeys in small boats. Sail Canoe Camping Suggestions for safely enjoying the thousands of miles of inland lakes and rivers in the U.S. |