JEM Watercraft

needed a 12' general purpose boat that could fit in my locked truck for road trips, so the laker 13' fits the bill when down sized. [ur[img]

some buid pics [url][/url]

[img][/img]

[url][/url]

Sure looks good MM!

What's it like on the water?

[url][/url]


fish slimed and muddied

[url][/url]

[url][/url]

Conclusion :- this was tippy at 1st with Old Sparkys seat, but much better when butt on deck . moves supprisingly well for such a short boat, track and glides real good,has to be made to turn,biggest problem is me at 190 lbs dosn't leave much freeboard as you can see. think it'll be great for 120 lb paddler.

[url][/url]

If you can stand another 1 ft. of length, the Eno would have been perfect for a big fella like you, it'll hold up to 400 lbs. After studying the Eno plans for a while now, I'm real tempted to build one as my "bayou boat".

BTW, as usual, you've done a great job on your boat build, looks really nice...............Phishtech

Hey phish, yes going to have to go longer for this fat ol boy, the Laker met my criteria as far as transportation but not in practical use. Now the weight was a pleasant suprise under 20 lb.

MM

Did the sides feel stable enough without any support? If you go longer would you consider the Laker configuration in 13' or 14'?
Very good looking boat.

Thanks
Richard

Richard,there was flex in the sides but think it was acceptable. Stiill considering some detachable deck system (playing with that now). Failing that thwarts could double as backrest support/footbrace, verdict still out on this.

MM

I've always thought a deck could be made with 4 'standards' to fit down into the square places in your rub rails. Maybe held down with short bungees inside. It wouldn't be water proof, but would be 'water repellent' as it would shed most of a wave or whatever tries to break over the bow, and it would be there to shore up the sides so they couldn't flex to much. Just food for thought.

Richard