DIY Dinghy with Laser 4.7 sails

[jagercek]

Hi, has anyone built a dinghy or has plans for building a dinghy that could use laser 4.7 sails? It could be a smaller trimaran too.

 

[bajansailor]

Welcome to the Forum Jager.

I had to look up some details on the Laser 4.7 - her sail area is 6.97 sq m (75 sq ft) which is smaller than a Laser Radial, but still on the standard Laser hull.
https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/laser-47

What type of dinghy are you thinking about, re adapting a Laser 4.7 rig to it?
Would it be a performance type of dinghy, or maybe a tender for a yacht that you want to put this sailing rig on, because you have it?

Re a small trimaran, have you seen the range designed by Richard Woods?
Sailing Catamarans - First Choose a Design http://sailingcatamarans.com/index.php/designs-2/27-trimarans-under-25

 

[Reuby]

The Pathfinder 4 designed by Colin Cummings uses a 4.7 rig
ROWING FOR PLEASURE: A new Pathfinder http://rowingforpleasure.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-new-pathfinder.html
Pathfinder 4 https://www.flickr.com/photos/10180659@N02/sets/72157634072652876/

I can't find plans anywhere but Fyne Boats do plans/kits of his Pathfinder 2 so they might be able to help.
Colin's Pathfinder - Fyne Boat Kits https://www.fyneboatkits.co.uk/kits/sailing/pathfinder/

 

[jagercek]

Does anyone know if it would be possible to modify a canoe to work with laser sails?

 

[mc_rash]

Would be possible for sure, but I think you should place enough ballast far enough onder the canoe or use outriggers (not to small) for stabilisation. Otherwise you'll get wet very fast. Maybe you should try a rig from an optimist?

Edit: that's my opinion, I've never tried yet but I've sometimes thought about putting sails on my ~4,5 m canoe.
I would appreciate if you try it and let me know if it works and how it's behavier will be!

 

[tlouth7]

Laser rigs, even the 4.7, are pretty heavy. A Topper rig would be slightly bigger and a fair bit lighter.

Either of these rigs would drop into any appropriately sized mast step.