: This is for Mick: How much rocker did you use on Facetious? Did you use the
: same amount in the bow and stern, or slightly more in the bow as I have
: noticed on several whitewater models?

: Right now, my boat has 7 inches in both the bow and stern. Just curious how
: Facetious compares.

Hi Brian,

Facetious is not a generic playak as it was designed specifically for me and my inadequacies: physical, skill, and balance-wise.

Firstly i get huge calf cramps in small yaks and so i wanted a very tight volumetric yak that i could still move my feet around in and get relief when i needed it. For me, this has been a godsend as in other yaks, i have had to suck up the results of cramps and suffered the consequences for several weeks if not longer(i hope not).

Secondly, i made the cockpit very long so that i can readily step in and out at the balance point when in awkward situations. This allows more water entry situations rather than sliding in off rocky ledges - ie i can get in and out a lot easier than any other small yaks.

And thirdly, as my surfing abilities are not that great and i am heavy for a small yak (52us gal), i just totally get annoyed at constantly pearling when i get in steep short waves - so i designed in large upturns: just under 9.5" at the bow and just under 8.5" at the stern (i just got in from a pool session and measured it!). This has paid off well for me in this 26"x6'-8" yak - i can catch waves that i get flushed thru in my larger (but with lower upturns) wavesport z.

so facetious is an odd kayak: very small on the outside but huge on the inside, stable in events, easy entry/exit, and allows the unskilled to surf in steep waves that ordinarily would be flushed thru.

I don't know your building or designing ability - but if you dont have drawing or modelling skill, i would highly recommend that you built your yak as just glass over shaped foam or pieces of strips over forms - much more forgiving approaches. Stitch and glue, tho' simple in build approach, is THE most difficult to design aesthetically AND volumetrically to achieve the tiny shapes of playaks.

'specious' is another s&g playyak approach that is just a little more typical. Slightly less upturns, slicier front, typical ckpt, 26"x6'-6":

mick