An interesting discussion this. I am researching a decked sailing canoe my father-in-law owned. It was built in the 1930s and is equipped for mast and sails fore and aft. To see a posting with pictures, go here:
http://forums.wcha.org/showthread.php?p=1284#post1284
My research has shown there are many clubs for this class of boat, both in the US and Britain. You just never know until you go looking.
David Darwin