[Paddlewise] First launch!

I've just completed the fist paddle with my new boat!

I started construction of the boat in the beginning of this year.  I was
able to put it in the water last night.  I didn't have the spray skirt yet,
but, because I had all the rest of the cold water gear, I put in.  Wow!  It
is really quite special to be paddling my own creation.  A tad anti
climatic...I was hoping the world would stop for a bit. <grin>

The boat is a 16'x22", single chine, arched deck, stitch and glue hull.  I
designed it in December and started construction the beginning of the year
and put it in a local creek last night. (The lakes are still frozen solid.)
The deck is finished bright and the hull is black.  I built my own paddle as
well.  It has laminated cedar shafts with mahog plywood blades (face is
bright and the back of the blade is black) to match the boat.

It is only the second time I have ever been in a kayak in my life.  I have
canoed before, recreational and weekend tripping.  I expected the boat to
have a higher stability than it does, owing to the moderately flat bottom in
the midship section, but the only other boat I have reference to is a 12'
tortured plywood hull that really wanted to flop to one side or the other.
(Feel free to request pictures off line, it is usually poor form to be
posting pictures to the list.)

I am really looking forward to tweaking the sitting arraignments and
spending
some 'quality' time on the water.

Let the games begin!
Marvin






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