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Shearwater Baidarka
By:Kenneth Sutherland
Date: 3/14/2012, 9:21 pm
In Response To: S&G: Merganser or Baidarka? (Sarasota, FL) (Lvacgar)

I built the 19' Shearwater Baidarka going on about 10 years ago. Built from plans (no kit) the build was a great experience, just a series of steps, most if not all easier than I anticipated. Ended up with a great kayak that is everything and more than I had hoped for.

I'm 6'-1" and tip 'em at 245. I've loaded the Baidarka for 8 and 10 day trips (read heavy) with no issues at all. The multichine hull handles big waves and rough water amazingly well. At 19" in width I must admit it felt a little twitchy when I first started paddling it, but I now fish and do a huge amount of nature photography from it on Lake Winnipeg and in Netley Marsh where my summer cottage is located, with no issues or thoughts about stability at all.

I wouldn't be fearful of the multichine designs they are really not that much more work.

Enjoy picking your design and building your kayak. Don't over think it...you'll probably build another one or two anyway!!!

Ken

Messages In This Thread

S&G: Merganser or Baidarka? (Sarasota, FL)
Lvacgar -- 3/11/2012, 11:31 am
Re: S&G: Merganser or Baidarka? (Sarasota, FL) *PIC*
Etienne Muller -- 3/11/2012, 12:20 pm
Re: S&G: Merganser or Baidarka? (Sarasota, FL)
JOHN LASKY -- 3/12/2012, 11:23 am
Re: S&G: Merganser or Baidarka? (Sarasota, FL)
Lvacgar -- 3/13/2012, 9:57 pm
Re: S&G: Merganser or Baidarka? (Sarasota, FL)
Lvacgar -- 3/13/2012, 9:50 pm
Re: S&G: Merganser or Baidarka? (Sarasota, FL)
Etienne Muller -- 3/14/2012, 4:56 am
Re: S&G: Merganser or Baidarka? (Sarasota, FL)
Lvacgar -- 3/18/2012, 12:32 pm
Re: S&G: Merganser or Baidarka? (Sarasota, FL)
Etienne Muller -- 3/18/2012, 3:39 pm
Re: S&G: Merganser or Baidarka? (Sarasota, FL)
Lvacgar -- 3/19/2012, 6:38 am
Re: S&G: Merganser or Baidarka? (Sarasota, FL)
John Abercrombie -- 3/11/2012, 1:32 pm
Re: S&G: Merganser or Baidarka? (Sarasota, FL)
Lvacgar -- 3/13/2012, 10:08 pm
Re: S&G: Merganser or Baidarka? (Sarasota, FL)
John Abercrombie -- 3/14/2012, 12:20 am
Re: S&G: Merganser or Baidarka? (Sarasota, FL)
Lvacgar -- 3/18/2012, 12:26 pm
Re: S&G: Merganser or Baidarka? Edging *PIC*
John Abercrombie -- 3/18/2012, 6:36 pm
Re: S&G: Merganser or Baidarka? Edging
John Abercrombie -- 3/18/2012, 6:38 pm
Re: S&G: Merganser or Baidarka? Edging
Lvacgar -- 3/19/2012, 6:26 am
Re: S&G: Merganser or Baidarka? (Sarasota, FL)
Bill Hamm -- 3/19/2012, 2:52 am
Re: S&G: Merganser or Baidarka? (Sarasota, FL)
Lvacgar -- 3/19/2012, 6:28 am
Re: S&G: Merganser or Baidarka? (Sarasota, FL)
Bill Hamm -- 3/20/2012, 2:12 am
Re: S&G: Merganser or Baidarka? (Sarasota, FL)
George in Va -- 3/14/2012, 11:38 am
Re: S&G: Merganser or Baidarka? (Sarasota, FL)
Lvacgar -- 3/18/2012, 11:48 am
Re: S&G: Merganser or Baidarka? (Sarasota, FL)
Mike Savage -- 3/18/2012, 3:34 pm
Shearwater Baidarka
Kenneth Sutherland -- 3/14/2012, 9:21 pm
Re: Shearwater Baidarka
Lvacgar -- 3/18/2012, 11:41 am
Re: S&G: Merganser or Baidarka? (Sarasota, FL)
Andrew Sommer -- 3/18/2012, 3:01 pm
Re: S&G: Merganser or Baidarka? (Sarasota, FL)
Lvacgar -- 3/19/2012, 6:12 am
Re: S&G: Merganser or Baidarka? (Sarasota, FL)
Andrew Sommer -- 3/19/2012, 8:48 am
Re: S&G: Merganser or Baidarka? (Sarasota, FL)
Lvacgar -- 3/19/2012, 8:31 pm
Re: S&G: Merganser or Baidarka? (Sarasota, FL)
Kirk Briggs -- 3/30/2012, 9:02 pm
Re: S&G: Merganser or Baidarka? (Sarasota, FL)
Lvacgar -- 4/9/2012, 10:01 pm
Re: S&G: Merganser or Baidarka? (Sarasota, FL)
Kirk Briggs -- 4/11/2012, 8:41 pm
Re: S&G: Merganser or Baidarka? (Sarasota, FL)
Kirk Briggs -- 4/11/2012, 8:43 pm