End Product

Well, I took her out yesterday morning and was able to successfully enter the 'yak, paddle it around for 45 minutes or so, and exit without getting too wet. My entry method doesn't match ANYTHING the books tell you to do, but it works. Next boat will have a cockpit custom-sized for me; at this point, it's not the girth of my waist in the way, but the length of my legs. This is one of those times I'd laugh when someone says "Boy, I wish I was as tall as you are!"

Headed up to WV for a few days on business. Will be back for the 4th and S3's visit with his family.

All for now.

Yet More Modification

Should have posted this on Monday, but got side-tracked. I took the boat out again on Monday evening and found that, while I was able to get into the cockpit, I still scraped my shins. You will recall that I enlarged the front of the cockpit by an inch and removed part of the lowest lamination of the forward beam. The scrape was being caused by what remained of that lamination.

So back to the house and up on the sawhorses goes the boat. Did some liberal (albeit, careful) work with the mallet and chisel to remove what remained of the lamination. Then took the trusty belt sander and smoothed it all out.

Had hoped to get to the water this evening, but the weather gods are in the way. Maybe it'll clear out before sunset.

I have ordered a cockpit cover (for when it's traveling on the truck) and a sprayskirt (for when I'm traveling in it). Cover should be delivered tomorrow. No ETA as yet on the sprayskirt.

So far, I've had a ball!

Did I Say I Was Finished?

After a not-so-successful outing this morning, I came back home with some ideas on modifying the cockpit to make entry and exit easier. Before I get any comments, let me acknowledge that if I was about 30 lbs. lighter these changes wouldn't be necessary. I won't bore you with pictures; you can look at my shins from the initial launch (March 21, 2008) and see what they look like now.

First thing I did (after screwing up the courage) was cut 1/4" from around the front of the cockpit. Then I carved out the bottom lamination of the front beam. The plans called for three, I put in four for strength. My bad. Finally, I took the seat out and replaced it with a foam pad velcroed to the back of the cockpit. Actually more comfortable (for me, at least). Tried a "dry" entry and it was much easier.

Now I'm off to work on the rain barrels. Need to see if I can get someone to accompany me to the lake next weekend to try out what I've changes. I'm not going ot finish (i.e., epoxy and varnish) until I'm sure it will work.

New Future Project

I added the link to the Apple Pie Yacht Tender. This is the boat that I'll be building for Stuart and Jerri. They buy materials, I provide the labor.

I'm Still Around

Having finished cleaning up from building the kayak, I'm focusing on some home/house stuff. I'll be starting a new boat soon: a small rowboat for Stuart III and Jeremy.

In the meantime, I did find this article on an old boat that was found late last year in NC. Old Pole Boat

Whatever Floats Your Boat

We just had the unofficial launching of the kayak. Stuart III, Jerri, and Josie went down to the lake with Janet and I to see if 11 months of work stayed above the surface. I was the first to give it a try, followed by III. Then Jerri got into the kayak and put both of us to shame. I'm figuring I'll get better at it with practice.







Of course, it wouldn't be complete unless blood (mine) was spilled.

Here's a short video of Stu-3 in the kayak.

IT'S A BOAT!!!

Well, it's been almost a year, but the kayak is finally done!! I put the hatch straps, the seat back, and the front bungee on today. Now the hardest part: waiting for a day warm enough to launch.