up. So, an ambulance ride, much mickey-taking from the paramedics when they found out I was a student Operating Department Practitioner, and then an X-ray in my local A & E, which revealed a fractured vertebra. I'm still waiting for the fracture to heal completely before I'm allowed back to work, but I'm out of hospital and doing just fine. Indeed some members may have seen me enjoying crewing JamesB's most innovative new boat at Rutland last weekend.
So, do you remember the ulterior motive I mentioned? Really my accident was the result of a failed risk assessment. By failing to foresee the possibility that the running belays would fail, I ended up getting rather more than I bargained for when I fell off. This leads me to wonder what risks members of the OCSG unknowingly expose themselves to. Is it possible that your boat will capsize and prove impossible to right? What about those outrigger beams and leeboard brackets, Jim? Have you checked that they are up to the job by calculating what load they might be subjected to? How about those sunny days, have you considered that the wind might blow up to a Force 6 and prepared yourself accordingly? And if any of these unforeseen things happen, will your companions be suitably skilled and equipped to help you out? If you are alone, then you need to be doubly sure that you are prepared for anything.
While it is true that experienced people are those who have made and survived more mistakes than the rest of us, time spent using our imagination might prevent a serious situation.
Selway Fisher 'Christine' Question (Craig Wightman)
I am president of the Malta Canoe Federation and I am interested in taking up and starting canoe sailing here. I have a Selway Fisher 'Christine' and wondered if this could be sailed but there are no sail details on the plan. Can I go ahead and learn on this or should I build a new boat?
After receiving Keith's reply (below) he later wrote:
Thank you Keith for your prompt reply; if the Malta canoe federation can ever be of service (small though we are - not much bigger than the Isle of Wight) please do let me know. You never know we get a lot of people visiting with wives etc. on their second vacations who are surprised to be able to squeeze in a spot of paddling while the wives shop or lounge. Not many open canoes here, but I intend changing that.
My thanks to you all at OCSG.
Selway Fisher 'Christine' (KeithM)
Thank you for your enquiry. It's great to hear from you and that you are thinking of starting to sail your canoe. Knowing there is canoe sailing happening in other countries is always very welcome!
The Selway Fisher "Christine" model is not one that I personally have direct experience of, but looking at its description on their website I think it could be adapted for sailing with a well fitted and appropriately sized rig. At just under 14 feet it is on the small size but whether that really matters depends on the load you intend it to carry. That is: one or two people, how big/heavy they are and also the type of waters you plan to sail on. Larger canoes with more freeboard do better on choppier seas but they are also caught by the wind more!
One of the sail rig designs from one of the other similarly sized Selway Fisher models would do quite well I think. However I would advise choosing a rig that can be reefed to provide a variety of sail areas to suit different wind strengths. Lateens do not really lend themselves to reefing whereas Gunters and Bermudans more often do.
I hope this helps and good luck with your project.
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