CLC Sail Rig - Chesapeake Light Craft Kayak Sail Rig MK II

I built this sail rig to go with my boat, Hull B. I built this project strictly from plans, and raw materials.  I also did things a little differently than CLC lays out. First, I used a different sail plan, with a jib and a mainsail.  I will also changed the way the crossbars (aka's) will be attached to the hull. Finally I built the floats (ama's) as hybrids, where the hulls were plywood and the decks were strip built.

Length:  12 feet
Beam:  10 feet
Weight: 40 lbs.
  •  CLC Sail Rig Mk2

    CLC Sail Rig Mk2

  •  8/28/08 - The sail rig is complete!

    8/28/08 - The sail rig is complete!

  •  A small hatch covers the spot where the mast goes.

    A small hatch covers the spot where the mast goes.

  •  CLC Sail Rig Mk2

    CLC Sail Rig Mk2

  •  CLC Sail Rig Mk2

    CLC Sail Rig Mk2

  •  CLC Sail Rig Mk2

    CLC Sail Rig Mk2

  •  CLC Sail Rig Mk2

    CLC Sail Rig Mk2

  •  View of one of the amas.

    View of one of the amas.

  •  9/13/08 - A system is built to carry the rig in one compact package.

    9/13/08 - A system is built to carry the rig in one compact package.

  •  CLC Sail Rig Mk2

    CLC Sail Rig Mk2

  •  CLC Sail Rig Mk2

    CLC Sail Rig Mk2

  •  CLC Sail Rig Mk2

    CLC Sail Rig Mk2

  •  CLC Sail Rig Mk2

    CLC Sail Rig Mk2

  •  CLC Sail Rig Mk2

    CLC Sail Rig Mk2

  •  CLC Sail Rig Mk2

    CLC Sail Rig Mk2

  •  CLC Sail Rig Mk2

    CLC Sail Rig Mk2

  •  CLC Sail Rig Mk2

    CLC Sail Rig Mk2

  •  CLC Sail Rig Mk2

    CLC Sail Rig Mk2

  •  CLC Sail Rig Mk2

    CLC Sail Rig Mk2

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Click here for a video of the sailrig in action. Note: it may take a few seconds to load.
  •  The first step is to trace the full sized patterns for various parts of the rig.

    The first step is to trace the full sized patterns for various parts of the rig.

  •  7/31/08 - Bulkheads and mast parter pieces are drawn onto a piece of plywood.

    7/31/08 - Bulkheads and mast parter pieces are drawn onto a piece of plywood.

  •  The bulkheads are cut down to shape.

    The bulkheads are cut down to shape.

  •  The bulkheads are laminated together.  Altogether, the laminated bulkheads equal about 19 mm.  This is 10 more than the plans call for.  I am doing this for extra strength for rough weather and for possible installation of nets later on.

    The bulkheads are laminated together. Altogether, the laminated bulkheads equal about 19 mm. This is 10 more than the plans call for. I am doing this for extra strength for rough weather and for possible installation of nets later on.

  •  8/3/08 - The bulkheads are sanded to their final shape.

    8/3/08 - The bulkheads are sanded to their final shape.

  •  A finished upper stern hull panel.

    A finished upper stern hull panel.

  •  This is a lower hull panel.

    This is a lower hull panel.

  •  The panel is cut and shaped.

    The panel is cut and shaped.

  •  The port ama is loosely stitched together.

    The port ama is loosely stitched together.

  •  Both amas are stitched up and ready for glue.

    Both amas are stitched up and ready for glue.

  •  The port ama with the seams filled with epoxy.

    The port ama with the seams filled with epoxy.

  •  8/4/08 - The interiors of the amas are coated with epoxy for waterproofness.  Also the seam between the panels was reinforced with fiberglass tape.

    8/4/08 - The interiors of the amas are coated with epoxy for waterproofness. Also the seam between the panels was reinforced with fiberglass tape.

  •  Sheer clamps are installed.

    Sheer clamps are installed.

  •  Ledge on the bulkhead for the deck to rest on.

    Ledge on the bulkhead for the deck to rest on.

  •  The starboard ama will have a hybrid strip deck.

    The starboard ama will have a hybrid strip deck.

  •  The starboard ama bow.

    The starboard ama bow.

  •  The second aka is laminated only 3 strips at a time.

    The second aka is laminated only 3 strips at a time.

  •  The deck is finished on the starboard ama.

    The deck is finished on the starboard ama.

  •  The port ama deck is stripped.

    The port ama deck is stripped.

  •  Since I used old damaged strips for the decks, I had to fill gaps between them with epoxy.

    Since I used old damaged strips for the decks, I had to fill gaps between them with epoxy.

  •  8/8/08 - The decks of the amas are sanded smooth.

    8/8/08 - The decks of the amas are sanded smooth.

  •  8/10/08 - Sheets of plywood and a piece of bloodwood are epoxied together for use as the leeboard.

    8/10/08 - Sheets of plywood and a piece of bloodwood are epoxied together for use as the leeboard.

  •  Fiberglass cloth is laid out on the decks of the amas.

    Fiberglass cloth is laid out on the decks of the amas.

  •  8/11/08 - The starboard ama deck is fiberglassed.

    8/11/08 - The starboard ama deck is fiberglassed.

  •  The leeboard is cut out.

    The leeboard is cut out.

  •  Both ama decks are 'glassed and fill coated.

    Both ama decks are 'glassed and fill coated.

  •  8/12/08 - The undersides of the decks are fiberglassed.

    8/12/08 - The undersides of the decks are fiberglassed.

  •  The rudder and leeboard are sanded and ready for fiberglass.

    The rudder and leeboard are sanded and ready for fiberglass.

  •  Both are fiberglassed.

    Both are fiberglassed.

  •  The decks are epoxied onto the amas.

    The decks are epoxied onto the amas.

  •  The amas are sanded smooth.  Here you can see the difference pre and post sanding.

    The amas are sanded smooth. Here you can see the difference pre and post sanding.

  •  8/15/08 - The amas are sanded and ready for fiberglass.

    8/15/08 - The amas are sanded and ready for fiberglass.

  •  Glass cloth is laid out.

    Glass cloth is laid out.

  •  The other ama is fiberglassed.

    The other ama is fiberglassed.

  •  The hole is cut for the mast in the mast partner.  It is also sealed with epoxy.

    The hole is cut for the mast in the mast partner. It is also sealed with epoxy.

  •  Both amas get a couple fill coats of epoxy.  The white line is not a scratch, it is a discolored section of the plywood.

    Both amas get a couple fill coats of epoxy. The white line is not a scratch, it is a discolored section of the plywood.

  •  8/18/08 - The bulkheads are reinforced with epoxy fillets.  This completes the construction of the amas. I only have to sand and varnish them.

    8/18/08 - The bulkheads are reinforced with epoxy fillets. This completes the construction of the amas. I only have to sand and varnish them.

  •  The mast partner is attached to the forward aka.

    The mast partner is attached to the forward aka.

  •  8/19/08 - The akas and amas are laid out.

    8/19/08 - The akas and amas are laid out.

  •  After holes are drilled for bolts in the amas they are put together and laid on the kayak.

    After holes are drilled for bolts in the amas they are put together and laid on the kayak.

  •  The mast is test fit onto the boat.

    The mast is test fit onto the boat.

  •  The mast step is installed.

    The mast step is installed.

  •  The akas are sanded smooth.

    The akas are sanded smooth.

  •  8/22/08 - The sail rig is set up!

    8/22/08 - The sail rig is set up!

  •  The akas get the first seal coat of epoxy.

    The akas get the first seal coat of epoxy.

  •  9/28/08 - A new rudder that will work with a tiller is being built.

    9/28/08 - A new rudder that will work with a tiller is being built.

  •  9/29/08 - The wood for the tiller is fiberglassed.

    9/29/08 - The wood for the tiller is fiberglassed.

  •  12/13/08 - After some sea trials a reinforced carbon fiber end cap was built as a rudder mount.

    12/13/08 - After some sea trials a reinforced carbon fiber end cap was built as a rudder mount.

  •  8/26/08 - Everything has been sanded and varnishing has begun. A good view of the leeboard.

    8/26/08 - Everything has been sanded and varnishing has begun. A good view of the leeboard.

  •  The amas and akas get a couple of coats of varnish.

    The amas and akas get a couple of coats of varnish.

  •  8/27/08 - The decks of the amas and the lower side of the akas are varnished.

    8/27/08 - The decks of the amas and the lower side of the akas are varnished.

  •  8/28/08 - All the pieces are in place.

    8/28/08 - All the pieces are in place.

Click photo for slideshow of selected photos of the construction process.

Link to full construction gallery.