The
program for this design called for:
1.
Easy to make: minimum amount of panels with no twists. If you
can build a pirogue, you can build this boat.
2. Easy to transport: Lightweight and short for easy loading
and unloading from your vehicle.
3. Easy to use: stability sitting flat or when leaning over.
Forgiving to those of us who use less than perfect paddling technique.
4. Fullness: a hull that can handle the needs for a more
stout paddler
5. Customizable: options for different build configurations.
It
all sounded great but presented some challenges. A short hull has
a tendency not to track (move in a straight path) well and you spend
a lot of energy just keeping it straight. Shorter hulls don't carry
a big load without being extremely wide, which leads to more difficulty
tracking and paddling.
So
we came up with a way to solve this problem: A specially shaped
keel.
The
keel provides more buoyancy and its shape is designed so you'll
have good tracking and still have maneuverability. She'll handle
more like a 14' kayak.
The
hull has enough depth to comfortably fit your legs and give you
room to move around.
The
keel also provides stability. We designed the wetted surface area
of the keel to be less than the flatter floor panels. This will
ensure the floor panels influence stability more than the keel,
keeping you rock solid without the twitchy feeling of a narrow boat.
You'll
need to glue one seat panel over the v-groove of the keel. But the
groove makes for a nice place to put your fishing rod or water bottle
and keep them from rolling around while you're paddling.
We
designed the hull panels to splice together using wooden or fiberglass
butt-blocks. The butt blocks are placed over the optimum seating
position. Combined with the seat panel, you'll have super reinforcement
in the area of the hull that takes the highest stress.
The
hull can be built in several configurations: A full deck, 2 mini
decks, sealed rear bulkhead, sealed end flotation chambers, the
combinations are up to you.
Built
with the stitch-and-glue method, our designs require no complicated
techniques. Everything can be done with simple hand tools.
We
make great efforts to keep our plans simple. No experience reading
nautical engineering drawings required, no base lines to refer back
to, no adding up dimensions to get the one you want. Everything
is laid out for you in an easy to follow, step by step manner.
