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

> In general, what is your opinion of the stitch-n-glue wood/fiberglass
> kayaks?  I'm thinking of boats from kits like those from CLC or Pygmy.  I
> believe these are the two largest producers of such kits, but there are
> others.

I built a Chesapeake 17.  I love it.  It's fast, comfortable, and it holds a
lot of stuff.  It's also rather wide - 24" - and, from what I hear, harder
to roll than a sleeker boat.

I looked at Pygmies.  I think they are also excellent boats.  I opted for
the Chesapeake for a couple of reasons.  1) Their kayaks come with
bulkheads.  Pygmies don't.  The standard method is to use a sea sock.  They
sell bulkheads as extras, which cost extra money.  Also Pygmies have
pointed, angular decks.  Chesapeakes have a nice arched deck.  I don't know
why, but the curved deck appeals to me more.

> 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)?

Check out Vaclav's page on wood core construction -
http://www.oneoceankayaks.com/Woodcore.htm.  He's talking about strip-built
boats, but I think okoume plywood boats are even a little stronger.
>
> 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.

I weigh around 205.  I was concerned about this as well.  As someone already
mentioned, there's a strong bulkhead right behind the cockpit which will
take a lot of weight.  I agree with the other person, that you should use
fiberglass tape on that bulkhead's seams; not just epoxy putty.  It only
adds a tiny bit of extra weight and it's about as easy as it gets.

> 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).

You said it!  On the weight issue: 1) Most first time stitch and glue
builders (myself included) don't end up with a boat as lightweight as
advertised, but mine is only over by 5 pounds or so.  2) Weight isn't that
much of an issue when you get it in the water.  I typically load many pounds
of junk when I go paddling.  I don't find that it slows me down.  Even when
I carried several days worth of provisions, including fresh water, I didn't
feel that the weight slowed me down.  The time when weight seems to be
undesirable is when you have to carry your boat, and especially when you
have to lift it to the roof of your car (or van in my case.)  As a large 205
man, I don't have any trouble with my Chesapeake 17, and I'll bet at 250
pounds you would be fine lifting a kayak that would be difficult for smaller
person.

One of the many benefits of building your own boat is that you can modify
its design to suit your own needs.  I think commercial boats have to be
compromises.  They can't possibly offer a line of boats with sizes, weights,
configurations, etc. to accomodate the desires of all paddlers.  When you
build your own boat you can make it exactly what you need.  If you are
concerned about cracking the glass on the deck when you put your weight
not-so-gently on it during a paddle float rescue, you can add extra strength
to that area, and it's really easy!

As for it being a welcome winter diversion, absolutely!  But watch out!  It
tends to become a year-round obsession.  Look at the web pages of some of
the people whose names you see on the bulletin boards associated with wooden
boats, (like the Guillemot Kayak Forum
http://www.kayakforum.com/cgi-bin/Building/index.cgi, or the Chesapeake
Light Craft bulletin board http://www.clcboats.com/).  You'll find that many
of them have built two or three or more boats.

Right now I'm in the middle of a new project.  I've joined the ranks of
those who have built a stitch and glue, and now want to build a stripper.
I'm building a Guillemot for my wife.  When I finish this my daughter wants
one.  Then my son wants a Wee Lassie.  I'm enjoying the project, but we've
had many beautiful weekends here in central California during the past few
months.  Do you think I've been out on the water paddling?  No.  I've been
in my garage working on the boat!

>As
> someone with smaller children, the idea of building a triple sounds like a
> way to share the sport with them - and increase the amount of time spent
> paddling.  You also frequently hear the advice that a double or a triple
on
> group trips is a great safety tool in terms of hauling an incapacitated or
> weak paddlers.

A triple sounds like a great project.  My kids aren't as gung-ho about
paddling yet as I'd like.  My soon-to-be-15-year-old daughter thinks I
should build a triple, so my wife and I can paddle, and she can sit and
relax in the middle like the princess she imagines herself to be!

Best,
Gordon Snapp
http://webpages.charter.net/grsnapp/guillemotbuilding.htm


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