PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:
| Design |
Freedom Kayak 15-4 |
| Overall Size |
15'4 x 28" (4.7 x .71 m) |
| Cockpit Size |
18.5" x 46" (.47 x 1.1 m) |
| Estimated Hull Weight |
45-55 pounds (20 - 25 K) |
| Capacity |
150 - 350 lbs on board. (68 - 159 k) |
| Intended Use |
Calm to moderately windy and/or choppy conditions,
camping trips up to 5 days, casual paddling, recreational fishing |
| Stability |
Comfortable for a novice paddler to relax and stroke
with ease. Generous flare will help slice through waves and reduce
rocking motion. |
| Cost |
Cost to build range from about $350 for a basic hull
to $1000 for an ultra tough, very lightweight version. |
| Time to build |
55-65 hours |
| Required builder skill level |
Moderate (a careful first-time builder would do ok) |
ABOUT THE BUILDER:
Chuck, AKA "Old Sparkey" has been building boats for 9 years
since retiring. He's paddled canoes and kayaks for over 50 years. He
built his first boat when he was 13 years old. Prior to this boat, he
built 10 boats including canoes, pirogues, and kayaks.
He is the owner of The
Southern Paddler and can be contacted by posting a mesage in his
forum or writing to him directly at 
.
REVIEW OF BUILDING THE BOAT
This hull was easy to build. I choose to measure and cut all panels
myself. The number of panels was small enough and the quality of plywood
I wanted was available near by. So I didn't feel the need of a precut
kit.
I didn't want to cut holes in that pretty deck. So I made sealed bulkheads
and installed hatches in them. The only problems I had when making the
boat were self inflicted and not from the plans. She was easy to assemble
but I made some bad cuts on a couple of panels and had to redo them.
So make sure you measure twice or more before you cut. It is a good
thing the folks I get my wood from are just a few minutes drive from
my place.
During assembly, I took some measurements of the main hull without
any deck.
*The bow is 13 inches in height
*The stern is 10 inches in height
*The center is 9 inches in height
The deck fit the hull like a glove.
While building this one, I was thinking it would make a good boat for
a trip into Canada. It is a good combination between a canoe and a kayak.
The coaming was easy to stack up and assemble.
Graphite applied for a slippery bottom.
When he was drawing up the plans, Matt asked me what I would be using
it for and I told him extended trips, primarily one in the Everglades
and 10,000 islands area of the Everglades. So it would have to take
my 200 pounds, plus all of my camping gear, food, and a gallon of water
per day. The idea is that the house (tent or hammock or both, sleeping
pad, sleeping bag) would go in the bow. Next to them a couple gallon
jugs of water, then the paddler.
In the aft area, I packed clothing, food, camp stove, and incidentals,
along with a couple more of the water jugs near the bulkhead / hatch.
Heavy items go near the center, and lightest in the ends. Daily items
, (rain coat, camera, snacks, etc.) are in the center cockpit with the
paddler. We figured around 100 to 130 pounds of stuff plus my weight.
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