I Made my First Sail

[cd34]

our local lake doesn't allow internal combusion engines which eliminates gas, alcohol and diesel engines.

An old Yamaha Exciter 135 hull with waterpump, 300 pounds of batteries where the gasoline used to be, and an electric motor would give enough RPMs to get the boat to 45 with 5 passengers. I figured a two hour duty cycle per recharge. However, at idle, the boat wouldn't be using power.

Conversely, I figured, a propane powered steam engined day boat would be cool. Not nearly the speed demon that the electric jet would have done, but, probably 12mph with 8-10 people, a nice gantry for folks to disembark at picnic destinations, and, able to handle rougher waters.

Then, there's always the j-boat or hobie cat. I saw a j-boat on the lake one day and thought, now there's a guy that knows how to have fun. A j-boat with a rigid sail would be pretty slick and sized about right for this lake. However, I lack the decorations on the lake that Chop has.

Can you make a Useless Rigid Sail for a j-boat?

Could it be a new business for you? Useless Sails.... has sort of a catchy ring to it.