I built the above Guillemot 17' several years ago and them made 2 more single kayaks. What I'd like to do is convert the single to a double. First is it possible. I'd also consider converting it to a one big cockpit kayak with two seats. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
I am not familiar with that kayak but it seems short and narrow for a tandem. Generally tandems need a little more stability unless both paddlers sync really well. Draft is another concern, if you want to put a couple 190 pounders in there I think you would be well above the designed payload. if you want to be able to have a child with you or a small dog that doesn't jump around I think it could work well. If you do one hole that is a big hole so you would need to reinforce the perimeter of the hole in some way like using a super beefy cockpit riser and coming. If you did two holes you would probably want to cut off the deck and design a new one. You could probably cut out the cockpit and use the existing deck as a form and then cut it out and install the new deck. It would be a lot more efficient than the plastic tubs they sell for paddling.
I think there was an article in SeaTrek (Australian -Victorian- sea kayak club newsletter) about converting a glass single to a double.
It would probably be the same amount of work for you to build a new double - to a tested design- than to modify a single, since it would involve adding a new center section, additional cockpit, etc...
My double design is basically half a sheet of plywood added between the cockpits. This brought the length to 6.25 metres and the curve of the width brought it to a reasonable beam 28" 30"(?). It did a circumnavigation of Vanua Levu, Fiji and many multidays trips after that.
Sorry for not completing my…
Sorry for not completing my new message.
I built the above Guillemot 17' several years ago and them made 2 more single kayaks. What I'd like to do is convert the single to a double. First is it possible. I'd also consider converting it to a one big cockpit kayak with two seats. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
A few thoughts
I am not familiar with that kayak but it seems short and narrow for a tandem. Generally tandems need a little more stability unless both paddlers sync really well. Draft is another concern, if you want to put a couple 190 pounders in there I think you would be well above the designed payload. if you want to be able to have a child with you or a small dog that doesn't jump around I think it could work well. If you do one hole that is a big hole so you would need to reinforce the perimeter of the hole in some way like using a super beefy cockpit riser and coming. If you did two holes you would probably want to cut off the deck and design a new one. You could probably cut out the cockpit and use the existing deck as a form and then cut it out and install the new deck. It would be a lot more efficient than the plastic tubs they sell for paddling.
double conversion
I think there was an article in SeaTrek (Australian -Victorian- sea kayak club newsletter) about converting a glass single to a double.
It would probably be the same amount of work for you to build a new double - to a tested design- than to modify a single, since it would involve adding a new center section, additional cockpit, etc...
Thanks for the input
Thanks for the input
Thanks for the input
Thanks for the input
I'm curious to see how…
I'm curious to see how things turn out, never though of it!
My double design is…
My double design is basically half a sheet of plywood added between the cockpits. This brought the length to 6.25 metres and the curve of the width brought it to a reasonable beam 28" 30"(?). It did a circumnavigation of Vanua Levu, Fiji and many multidays trips after that.