Boat Building Forum

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

Re: Off Topic: Risk of designing my own?
By:Will N To Go
Date: 5/31/2010, 8:10 pm
In Response To: Re: Off Topic: Risk of designing my own? (PatrickC)

Thanks all for the sage advice, thoughts and encouragement.

Paddling out this morning among the porpoises, sea lions, dolphins and giant jellyfish, as I was passed by a paddle boarder, I came up with this idea:
Order plans and build Nick's Mystery, (Nick, any thoughts on what might soup up the Mystery, that are outside race rules? Stretch it to 21'? 22'? I don't race, so it won't be cheating.)

Once I'm on the water and having a great time with my Mystery-variant, and the cedar slivers have worked their way out of my hands, I'll consider what to make next, maybe even an outrigger.
Those guys seem to be very quick, 6-7 knots. But why only one paddle blade? We walk with two feet, we hold paddles with two hands, even outriggers hold their paddles with two hands--but only one blade? I asked some outrigger guys one time and they looked at me like I was nuts for asking. One guy said someone he knew had once tried a double blade but was too slow.

Another realization I had since yesterday. Which part of a (swedeform) kayak should have the greatest draft? (lowest point) under me, or just behind me where the widest part is (55percent)? If I don't have a clue on that simple aspect--I might build a kayak based on my opinions instead of building based on actual knowledge and understanding.

Will

Messages In This Thread

Off Topic: Risk of designing my own?
Will N To Go -- 5/30/2010, 1:57 pm
Re: Off Topic: Risk of designing my own?
Johnathan -- 6/2/2010, 1:47 pm
Second the prototype idea *PIC*
Dan Caouette (CSFW) -- 6/2/2010, 4:00 pm
Re: Second the prototype idea
Will N To Go -- 6/3/2010, 4:13 pm
consider Baidarka designs
Paul G. Jacobson -- 6/2/2010, 1:23 pm
Re: Off Topic: Risk of designing my own?
Bill Hamm -- 6/1/2010, 9:59 am
Re: Off Topic: Risk of designing my own?
Craig -- 6/2/2010, 1:20 am
Re: Off Topic: Risk of designing my own?
Mike Bielski -- 6/1/2010, 1:28 am
Re: Off Topic: Risk of designing my own?
PatrickC -- 5/30/2010, 7:12 pm
Re: Off Topic: Risk of designing my own?
Will N To Go -- 5/31/2010, 8:10 pm
Re: Off Topic: Risk of designing my own? *PIC*
Dave ( of Calif.) -- 6/1/2010, 2:29 am
Re: Off Topic: Risk of designing my own?
Paul Hansen -- 5/31/2010, 11:06 pm
Re: Off Topic: Risk of designing my own? *PIC*
Aaron Locke - Washington Wood Craft -- 5/31/2010, 9:36 pm
Re: Off Topic: Risk of designing my own?
Allan -- 5/30/2010, 5:52 pm
Re: Off Topic: Risk of designing my own?
Sam McFadden -- 5/30/2010, 3:09 pm