13'7" MacGregor Canoe
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Join to view PDF Purchase MacGregor Canoe PlansThe 19th-century Scot, John MacGregor, is generally credited with devising the decked, double-paddle sailing canoe, then popularizing it by writing of international cruises he made aboard his canoe ROB ROY. The Iain Oughtred design presented here is the larger of two Oughtred-designed canoes offered by WoodenBoat. Although at 13′ 7″, it is a bit smaller than many first-generation boats of this type. The MacGregor canoe can sail with a single balanced lug or rigged as a yawl.
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I built this boat with a single lug sail about thirty years ago and sailed it almost every summer since that time. The foot pedal steering has never failed and in a light to moderate wind on a small lake {Jones Pond in Rainbow lake NY} it is a lot of fun. You always have your paddle for “Auxiliary Power” or coming about in a tough wind. The acrobatics of flipping the lee board side to side may be easier with two boards, but only use the one on lee ward then pull it, come about and use the other board. I’ve only used one but as I age, I think about what may be easier. It is also a beautiful paddling canoe. Ian Oughtred designs have a certain magic and this boat caught a lot of it!