Published by the Open Canoe Sailing Group

Canoes At The National Maritime Museum, Falmouth (DennisD)

I expect by now OCSG members are aware that the new National Maritime Museum has opened its doors in Falmouth. Purpose built to house the NMM small boat collection, we can confirm that it is well worth a visit. What may be less well known is that the museum library has free access; just ask at reception if you wish only to use the library. Capt. George Hogg, Head of Library, is currently researching the history of Klepper canoes, particularly in respect of their use in the 1936 Olympics, for an exhibit that will go on display next year. He would welcome any info anyone can offer. The Klepper the museum owns is a double, but there is some doubt if doubles were a class in 1936. Anyone know for sure?

Technical talk on the beach at Silver Bay.

Capt. Hogg is also looking to expand the library's book coverage of all aspects of canoeing - the library has lots of available shelf space, plus secure storage for any overflow. So if anyone is looking to find a kind home for no longer wanted books or relevant magazines you might consider donating them to the museum library.

'Coaching' At Coniston (RoyB)

It is reported that Coniston made up for its dreadful weather earlier in the month by providing the few who turned up for this event with beautiful conditions - warm sunshine and gentle wind during the whole weekend.

Only 5 boats (8 people) took to the water: Keith (organiser), SteveR, Noeline & DaveT, John & Alison (not members, but they were at Rother Valley and Anglesey last year) with a rig involving a mast which rears up at a diagonal from the bow from which a sort of lateen is set, and MalcolmC for one day in his Little Pete. The conditions were so favourable that Noeline enjoyed a 'safe and civilised' trip round the bay with Steve in his trimaran. Could this pose a dilemma for Dave in his monohull?

WalterG handing the winner's trophy to SteveR at Rother Valley.

With such experienced sailors present coaching remained at the barest minimum, but that did not mean that the weekend was a disappointment for the participants. The sailing was excellent. Without Keith it would not have happened; thanks to him.

Jib - Further Developments (ChristopherW)

The rigid rotating jib (GOSSIP March 2003) has grown and been attached to sheerlegs attached with hinges to the front cross member of my outriggers. I used hinges because it may be handy to collapse the rig whilst afloat!

The whole contraption is held erect by a rope from the top of the mast to the bow of the canoe. It should work well on a plastic canoe because there is no need for any other stays. The outriggers would normally be attached by passing a strap under the hull. In order to keep a fully curved shape in the mainsail (a lateen) on either tack the mast has been drastically shortened so that it only rises as high as the boom, which is attached to it. Thus it will not 'flatten' the main on the one tack (I gather this is called 'spilling' when it is done on purpose) and performance will,

View facing forwards from the stern, jib furled, main lowered.

I hope, improve. The rope which lifts the main - the halyard - having been attached to the spar will have to pass through an eyelet screwed to the cross member of the sheerlegs, through a pulley at the bow to wherever one is going to sit - again to prevent flattening the mainsail.

The picture on the right was taken in the park across the road from home because the sea is a bit of a walk and I don't have a zoom to get close from the shore. I hope members can get the gist of this. If no one has seen anything like this may I call it the Alpha Delta Rig? I have had it on the water in the early stages of refinement and it seemed to work quite well. I hope to get to the Rutland meet in September.

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