Re: [Paddlewise] Who Else Has Had the Guts?

DuaneStrosaker wrote:

> Are there many other practitioners of hull modification out there?

Well, no actual hull modifications, since I usually paddle plastic
boats. But on the other hand: I am planning to buy a new boat, which
will be imported to the Netherlands next spring, and already I am
planning a week in my workshop to get it the way I want it.

The boat in question is a Rainbow Oasis. I bought the standard version
last spring, as a guest boat. It is an easy tracker, quite stable and
comfortable. While trying it out (a won't put any guest in a boat I
don't know) I fell completely in love with the boat: I can handroll it,
it is an incredible surfer, it REALLY doesn't need a skeg or rudder,
even in high winds, and it's the kind of boat where you can throw out
your ancor, put your feet on the deck and start reading a book for the
rest of the afternoon. I am planning to buy the expedition version of
the same boat, to replace my Prijon Seayak. 

Since I have a boat of the same design, I know the shortcomings. There
may be more in the parts I don't know: Bulkheads and hatches.

A little estimate of the work involved:
- Saw away part of the cockpit coaming, heatup and bend the rest out of
the way;
- Adding decklines with a handfull of supports;
- Drilling about 10 extra holes in the seat, so water drains out easily;
- Adding a keelson;
- Modifying a sprayskirt;
- Adding thighbraces;
- Adding a pump, drilling holes for the drainpipe and the switch
- Replacing the toggles;
- Drilling a hole big enough to put a chain through, so I can lock the
boat to the roof of my car;
- Moving the chair back, so my legs will fit in;
- Adding supports for a spare paddle.

I would like to buy a brandnew boat that totally fits my needs and
taste, but since that seems to be impossible, I am happy to buy a boat,
consider it to be a nice basis to start, and start drilling holes before
I even put it in the water the first time.

I think any seakayakker, and any kayakker that moves more then a mile
from civilization, should be able to maintain his own boat. When you
loose your rudder, damage a hatch or the hull, break a paddle, or
whatever disaster that can happen, you should have the skills to make a
quick fix to get you going again. The best way to practice those skills
is maintaining your own boat. By doing that, you will know the weak
points of your craft, the material and tools to make quick fixes on a
beach, and hopefully you will train your creativity in working with
boats. When stranded on a remote shore with a problem, you will probably
have brought the tools and material to fix it, and if not, at least you
will have learned to think about solutions instead of just screaming in
panic and releasing your flares.

Happy drilling,

Niels.
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed
here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire
responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author.
Submissions:     PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net
Subscriptions:   PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************