JEM Watercraft

Hi -

Does the Laker have a flat bottom? Some of the pictures on the detail page make it look like it does, and a couple hint toward the bottom being made up of multiple pieces.

Thanks,
- Hank

Slight V so it has 2 pieces that make up the bottom.

FYI: you might want to look at the free plans page.

Thanks for the quick response.

Given the pace at which I'm finishing my Merrimac, there's little need for me to worry about other boats . The slight-V appeals to me and I just might have to try making a Laker when I finish the canoe.

- Hank

Matt
What are the advantages of the v bottom on the laker over a flat bottom
Ron

My understanding of the situation is that on a flat bottomed boat the bottom wants to stay flat with respect to the surface of the water it happens to be on. In flat water that's a good thing. In a more up-and-down kind of situation, say minding your business while floating down the river and having a wake come at you from the side, flat with respect to the bottom of the boat can be at quite a bit of an angle away from straight up and down.

And when I flat bottomed boat decides it's time to tip over it does so suddenly.

A round bottomed boat has effectively infinite flat surfaces to act as the bottom so they handle waves from side better.

A V-bottomed boat is somewhere between round and flat so it will handle the waves a bit better than a flat boat, but still me do-able in the actually making a boat department.

Those with better info, please chime in.

- Hank

I guess what I am asking does it make the paddling or cruising easier or faster for the same amount of exertion.
Ron

better tracking and you'll sit a bit lower in the water. Flat bottoms can often ride you very high in the water and create high center of gravity.

The slight V is also stiff than just a flat bottom.

You have it pretty good, Hank. Each design has its characteristics. According to application and preference, those characteristics are either advantages or disadvantages.

If you are in quiet, shallow waters, a flat bottom works quite nicely. If you sometimes travel waters that are unsettled and have waves, a rounder bottom will work better.

If you move around in a boat, the flat bottom seems stable right up to the moment of capsize. A round bottom will roll some as you move, but more predictably.

I have never paddled a flat bottom kayak so I am not in a position to comment re performace comparison.

I am building my Laker out of the cheapest, possible, 3mm or 1/8" interior grade ply and even that, ws from the worst sheets of a batch of ten that I had. (it was all I had left) I am also using 85 gram (3oz I think) woven matt and West Systems premium epoxy resin, inside and out.

The bottom of my boat is rock solid. There is absolutely no oil canning and I can hardly flex the bottom panels at all. I believe a flat bottom covering the same area would flex quite a bit and could make for a noisy boat in small chop.

Hopefully in the next few weeks, I will be able to water test mine and I will post my impressions of this boats on water performance. This boat is being built as a sort of loaner boat and I expect it will be used mostly by novice paddlers. For this reason it needs to be stable and easy and safe to paddle. I think it will fit the bill very nicely indeed.

Hank mate,

here is the best piccie of the bottom I have.

Mick:
What are your thoughts about building the Robin P5 but instead of having a flat bottom, have a little V shaped one like the laker? Thanks.