Canoe outrigger help

[Hammerojustice]

The newbie again,

I was wondering if anyone had any experience putting any outriggers on a canoe?

I just got a canoe yesterday & was looking for your input. First off, this is the canoe I'll be getting. It's the Wenonah Kingfisher: https://www.wenonah.com/Canoes.aspx?id=110 and I'll be getting it in a Royalex skin & vinyl braces/gunwale/trim. It will be an olive drab in color not that it matters.

Ok, as far as Outrigger ideas go, here is the first option to which there are some variations. https://flyfishinchristian.wordpress.c ... t-or-something-like-that/

Someone in the comments shared a video of his set up. https://youtu.be/RYTaZEq1DXQ Start watching at about the 2:20 mark to see it in action. Needless to say, it gave me some ease as he's a big guy...

But then there's this other idea:https://youtu.be/39GUDlBnRno This design is more permanent in that it drills holes into the canoe's hull wall & is in a set position, but the arms are more maneuverable and can more quickly be adjusted. It's called the Bird of Prey design.

So, my question to you, is can you think of a way to combine the first idea & the Bird of Prey ideas? It like it to be flexible to be placed wherever I need & on another canoe if needed, but I'd like to ba able to adjust the height & distance from the outer wall.

I know for the distance from canoe to the buoys I can just use longer conduit sections, but the height is what has me stumped.

What are your thoughts?

My dad had this thought:
"First build the Bird-of-Prey apparatus, but omit the part about bolting it into the canoe gunwales. Just make that 4" wide aluminum angle piece long enough to extend slightly beyond the gunwales at the wide mid-ship point. Then drill two holes at each end to allow you to insert the U-bolt through, then put the clamp plate and nuts on from below, holes properly spaced to allow the clamps to grab the underside of the gunwale rim. You might want to replace the hex nuts with wingnuts.

The only problem will be that the boat is of a different width at different locations, so you might need a couple pairs of holes or consider slots instead."

I then found this: https://paulangling.wordpress.com/2012 ... noe-stabilizers-complete/

And while I like the last idea, if I'm taking the canoe out solo, then I would be sitting in the bow seat backwards and then that thwart in which I would clamp it onto would be out of reach. I don't think I would be able to clamp to the yolk. And if I'm going tandem, it would be in reach as it would be about 2' in front of the stern seat's front edge and likely not in the way of the stroke.. So it would work in a tandem situation, but not a solo situation unless I'm not thinking clearly.

So, I'm liking my dad's idea of the 4" aluminum with multiple holes with the U-Bolts and Bird of Prey style... The question becomes where would I get the aluminum?

And do you think it makes a difference whether it's 3/16", 1/4", or 3/8" thick? And then 3", 3.5", or 4" wide?

I was also thinking instead of a metal plate, to use a cedar plank...

Penny for your thoughts

[AndyS]

I have a 17 ft. flat bottom, only rolled it once in 20 years (alcohol) Be surprised how much weight a canoe can hold, no need for riggers on a canoe.

[Hammerojustice]

Originally Posted by AndyS

I have a 17 ft. flat bottom, only rolled it once in 20 years (alcohol) Be surprised how much weight a canoe can hold, no need for riggers on a canoe.

THanks... It isn't as much about the weight it can hold as much as my young kids who would likely lean to far to the same side suddenly.

So for that reason, I still want them. I just need input on HOW

[phil]

I built the "bird of prey" outriggers for my old town. used a piece of trex installed horizontally gunwale to gunwale right along the thwart. pre drilled for the flag poles to hold the outriggers. outriggers were made from craigslist crutches and lobster floats so I can extend out or in very easily. the only permanent part of the rig is the pvc thwart. no pics available right now sorry. its very easy to take apart and install.

all that being said I only made it because I have a slippery 4 year old and a slightly older but just as active nephew. if I take it out myself or with a more mature person I don't use them because theyre annoying.

[Hammerojustice]

Originally Posted by phil

I built the "bird of prey" outriggers for my old town. used a piece of trex installed horizontally gunwale to gunwale right along the thwart. pre drilled for the flag poles to hold the outriggers. outriggers were made from craigslist crutches and lobster floats so I can extend out or in very easily. the only permanent part of the rig is the pvc thwart. no pics available right now sorry. its very easy to take apart and install.

all that being said I only made it because I have a slippery 4 year old and a slightly older but just as active nephew. if I take it out myself or with a more mature person I don't use them because theyre annoying.

Thanks Phil! Is the Trex permanently attached? Or temporarily fastened to the rails whe you're taking the kids out?

[phil]

Originally Posted by Hammerojustice

Thanks Phil! Is the Trex permanently attached? Or temporarily fastened to the rails whe you're taking the kids out?

the trex is "permanently" attached like the thwarts that come with the canoe. I used SS bolts & locknuts and bolted it through under the gunwales. gave it a nice roundover with the router. ill get some pics up for you later. im working from home today but under my deck is a mess right now.

[Hammerojustice]

Originally Posted by phil

the trex is "permanently" attached like the thwarts that come with the canoe. I used SS bolts & locknuts and bolted it through under the gunwales. gave it a nice roundover with the router. ill get some pics up for you later. im working from home today but under my deck is a mess right now.

Gotcha. That would be most appreciated. Thanks!

[phil]

man its cold out. I didn't fasten them or anything but you can get the idea here. let me know if you have any questions, I have a piece left over of the pvc stuff if you want it. Im not sure if its trex, but its the same kind of exterior pvc trim thing. im thinking about drilling some other stuff into the pvc since its not structural for pliers, beer holder, cigar ashtray, essential kind of stuff like that.

[go_fish]

You might want to look at the following website.

https://www.sailboatstogo.com/conten...yak_Stabilizer

[Hammerojustice]

Originally Posted by phil

man its cold out. I didn't fasten them or anything but you can get the idea here. let me know if you have any questions, I have a piece left over of the pvc stuff if you want it. Im not sure if its trex, but its the same kind of exterior pvc trim thing. im thinking about drilling some other stuff into the pvc since its not structural for pliers, beer holder, cigar ashtray, essential kind of stuff like that.

Cool! Thanks! I was thinking of trying to get the plank whether Trex or cedar or whatever capable of being strapped on top of the rails so it could be moved towards the bow or stern pending if I'm going solo (in reverse positioning) or going out with others. This was definitely helpful!

Thanks