Boat Building Forum

Find advice on all aspects of building your own kayak, canoe or any lightweight boats

Linking Kayaks
By:Mark Bodnar
Date: 11/4/1998, 10:17 pm

Any opinions on the best way to link 2 kayaks? I'm expected to make my wife a kayak this winter (she liked my finished product from last winter and wants her own).

I'm thinking of a pair of braces between the boats, holding them parallel like a catamaran. I'm picturing something similar to the gull wing outriggers used by CLC for it's sail rig (1/4" layers of wood laminated together with epoxy - bent over forms or steam bent to hold proper shape), but with the kayaks attached at either end. Any suggestions for attaching kayaks to the outrigger, space needed between kayaks or fore and aft to avoid paddle stoke etc would be appreciated.

Few reasons for paddling together -

1. She does not have the time (or interest) to really practice in rough water conditions which would greatly limit our ability to do coastal ocean trips.

2. Our paddling skills are very different. I'd have to wait for her, or build a double - which is relatively useless for single use.

3. Medium size dog (good swimmer) and small baby (not old enough yet, but should be in a few yrs) will both want to come along. Linked kayaks would provide a much more stable platform.

4. If I ever get around to trying kayak sailing this would be a great platform for 2.

Thanks for the thoughts, Mark

Messages In This Thread

Linking Kayaks
Mark Bodnar -- 11/4/1998, 10:17 pm
If you really want to do it...here's a start(with a pic)
Brian C. -- 11/5/1998, 10:43 pm
Re: Linking Kayaks
Mike Scarborough -- 11/5/1998, 9:34 pm
Re: Linking Kayaks
Mark Bodnar -- 11/5/1998, 10:08 pm
keep them close
Brian C. -- 11/5/1998, 2:17 pm
Re: Linking Kayaks
Jeff Warrick -- 11/6/1998, 12:21 am
Re: Linking Kayaks
Mark Bodnar -- 11/5/1998, 9:43 pm
Re: Linking Kayaks
Nolan Penney -- 11/6/1998, 7:58 am
Re: Linking Kayaks
Nolan Penney -- 11/5/1998, 8:15 am
Re: Linking Kayaks
Mark Bodnar -- 11/5/1998, 9:02 pm
Re: Linking Kayaks
Nolan Penney -- 11/6/1998, 9:19 am
Re: Linking Kayaks
Ross Leidy -- 11/6/1998, 8:48 am
Re: Linking Kayaks
Nolan Penney -- 11/6/1998, 2:38 pm
Re: Communicating
Mark Kanzler -- 11/6/1998, 11:38 am
Re: Communicating
Mark Kanzler -- 11/6/1998, 11:41 am