A long, narrow, light racing-canoe, with a long, spooned paddle, will attain great speed.
A sailing-canoe with flat bearing, and some keel, will sail off the wind admirably.
The “travelling-canoe” has to sail, to paddle, and to bear portage and rough handling.
The endeavour to combine these three qualities in suitable proportions, without sacrificing more of any of them than can be well dispensed with, has led to the building of the canoe now to be described; and the new Rob Roy has been a great success.
The old Rob Roy canoe, which made a voyage through France, Germany, &c., was specially built for the purpose; and it is described in the book which gives an account of that journey. A more detailed description was given in the Transactions of the Institute of Naval Architects, but the numerous improvements suggested during that voyage, and in careful experiments afterwards, were embodied in the new Rob Roy, so that this novel, inexpensive, and healthful mode of travelling might be facilitated.
The Rob Roy was designed to sail steadily, to paddle easily, to float lightly, to turn readily, and to bear rough usage on stones and banks, and in carts, railways, and steamers; to be durable and dry, as well as comfortable and safe. To secure these objects every plank and timber was carefully considered beforehand, as to its size, shape, and material, and the result has been most successful.
In the efforts to obtain a suitable canoe for this purpose ready made, it was soon found that boat-builders might be proficient at the cabinet-makers’ work of their calling, without any knowledge of the principles required for a new design, especially when sailing, paddling, and carrying had to be provided for at once, and the requirements for each were not understood, except by those who had personally observed them, and had known how to work the paddle as well as the saw and the plane.
A canoe ought to fit a man like a coat; and to secure this the measure of the man should be taken for his canoe. The first regulating standard is the length of the man’s foot, which will determine the height of the canoe from keel to deck; next, the length of his leg, which governs the size of the “well;” and then the weight of the crew and luggage, which regulates the displacement to be provided for. The following description is for a canoe to be used by a man 6 feet high, 12 stone weight, and with boots 1 foot long in the sole.
The Rob Roy is built of the best oak, except the top streak of mahogany, and the deck of fine cedar. The weight, without fittings, is 60 lb., and with all complete, 71 lb. Lightness is not of so much consequence in this case as good line, for a light boat if crank, will tire the canoeist far more in a week’s cruise than would a heavier but stiff craft, which does not strain his body at every moment to keep her poised under the alternate strokes of the paddle or the sudden pressure of a squall on the sail.