Re: [Paddlewise] Composite vs. Plastic Info - aluminum?

Shawn said :   >snipped some great comments<
> What's the latest dream boat--a Foster boat from Seaward with a custom
layup?  Don't they VB their hulls?  ;)  (just playing devil's advocate!) All
the best, Shawn<

I _don't_ claim any expertise in the area of fibreglass kayak construction
(only destruction and modification "theology"). Unlike my Sea Kayaker
articles which are well researched, this forum tends to be my dumping ground
for flippant commentary and misc. ramblings. Usually, I try to share only
what I observe and have experienced or laid witness to, and resultant
opinions and "positions."

Like you Shawn, I have seen examples of good and bad kayak construction,
from both VB'd manufactures (some you would be surprised by to hear about --
no, don't ask, but do think outside of BC) and the hand-lay-up guys.

My dream boat would be fairly stiff, with inflexible surfaces and strong
impact resistance. I think a well made hand-lay-up kayak is capable of
delivering, but I'd add Kevlar to the schedule to offset the bit of excess
resin that even the best builder can't squeeze out. This costs more money,
and may not be applicable to every paddler depending on intended use.

I met up with a local paddler this weekend who just received his custom
Foster Legend from Seaward. The Robin Egg Blue deck was flawless and well
featured. The neatest little addition was a two to three inch section of
deck line that ran past the last deck cleat. The knotted end was tied off to
a section of bungee. This allows the paddler to slip their fingers under the
line and grab hold of the deck line more easily, due to the "give" in the
line from the bungee -- yet the knot will not go any further than the deck
cleat (fitting, whatever).

The hull was good and stiff, with an expedition lay-up and reinforced with
Kevlar (just as I would specify). The overall weight wasn't too bad. Let's
just say my appetite was wetted just a wee bit by this middleweight
contender. If I had the money, I'd order a kayak with as much high-tech
cloth, carbon, etc., as I could, but keep the weight _high_  -- not
low...kind of like the Tsunami kayaks.

Ultimately, I'd buy a boat based on design, not the methodology employed to
build it -- all things being equal. I have a Nordkapp HS now, so the next
boat would ideally be something that didn't need a rudder, something that
carves a turn, something that has more volume for running whirlpools and
tide races, and something that holds more gear for longer excursions while
still having a nice "glide", and something with hard chines. I'd love to
make an Outer Island, but it wouldn't be sufficiently enough of a change to
make it worth while. Do I make sense Shawn? My circumstances in life don't
allow me to own a fleet of kayaks like some of the lucky bums on this list.

I do have the technology (probably as much as anyone on this list) to design
and make my own wooden kayak. I have full access to 10 routers, 5 router
tables, cutters galore, 6 tablesaws, a 6", 8" and 20" jointer, a 15", 24"
planer, a 36" SCM widebelt sander, a shaper table...well, you get the
picture. I could and would love to make a kayak that fits me exactly and
incorporates those little features you are hard pressed to do with a
manufactured boat, like custom bulkheads that "wrap around" the bilge pump,
and such things. One well known Victoria paddler has designed and made a few
of his own kayaks (for himself), but it has taken several tries to perfect
(more or less) his perfect boat, in terms of performance and design (and
mostly paddles a sexy little cut-down CD Slipstream for day trips -- a very
sweet boat indeed). This isn't always the answer though, given the
prototyping time and energy of creating your own wooden kayak.

Now, if Nigel would just grow shorter and wider and get a bit of a gut and
some bigger thighs and then design something to fit this new profile, I'd be
perfectly set...other than negotiating with the local in-house spending
authority of course, who keeps mentioning things like groceries, the kids
education funds -- you know how it works eh Shawn?

Doubleass Lloyd
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