Re: [Paddlewise] if not AL, how about wood?

As a 230 pound paddler of a CLC 18'  Chesapeake that I built two years ago:.

> 1) the kits seem to weigh in 10-15% lighter than a typical all fiberglass
> boat.  Is this due to less overall strength or lighter materials (the
> lightweight wood core rather than solid layers of fiberglass)?

The wood core is lighter than fiberglass.  However, unless you are
experienced in using epoxy your first boat will probably weigh ~ 5 pounds
more than the advertised weight due to inefficient use of epoxy.  The wood
may be more prone to puncture type of damage, but otherwise appears to stand
up to anything a fiberglass boat would endure.

>
> 2) as a 250 lb paddler, I'm concerned about the strength of the boats - in
> particular the deck.  I once tried on someones wooden boat - and when I
> (gently) planted my backside on the deck just behind the coaming in order
> to slide into the cockpit, there was a distinct creaking/crunching sound
> from the deck...the guy said it was nothing but I still wonder if that
type
> of construction would handle my less than gentle paddle-float recoveries
on
> the back deck.

The back deck of my 18' boat is one piece of plywood bent in an arch.  It is
quite strong.  There is a bulkhead right behind the seat that helps support
that area.  The area of the rear deck around where the hatch is cut out is
not as strong, but has proven strong enough for general use. There is a thin
rib on each side of  the hatch that goes from gunwale to gunwale.   Of
course with a home built strength depends on the abilities of the builder.
I made sure the bulkhead had generous fillets where it meets the deck and
hull.  I don't get creaks and groans from the kayak.  One of the beauties of
wood kayaks is that you can modify them to meet your needs.  If you are
really worried about the rear deck you can add a couple of stringers, or add
fiberglass tape to the joints when you put in the rear bulkhead.

>
> For someone who enjoys woodworking, these seem to be a great way to get a
> lightweight, custom boat for about 1/2 or 1/3 of the cost of a fiberglass
> boat (plus the labor...but I see this as a welcome winter diversion).  As
> someone with smaller children, the idea of building a triple sounds like a

One issue of building these in the winter is the epoxy fumes.    The epoxy
likes temperatures in the 50's or above.  Especially with children in the
house, building is usually relegated to the garage.  You need a space ~ 22'
long by 10' wide   I had planned to build mine in the basement but got
relegated to the garage due to the smell of the epoxy.  I then had to wait
until the garage warmed up to proceed.

I thoroughly enjoyed building my boat and the comments that I get when I
paddle.

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