1979 Kalash Layout Boat

D

Donivan Wells

Active member
My buddies and I have been hunting divers for a few years. Our hunts consist of longlines set up near the points of small islands in the U.P. of Michigan. For years, we've watched those ducks raft up out in the middle of the bay and tried different methods of persuation in order to convince those rascals into coming in for a closer look. Each hunt left us dreaming of joining the ranks of the Mighty Layout Boys.....Well, today our dreams have come true....

Here is our 1979 original John Kalash II man layout!! (slightly modified...)

The previous owner, Steve, modified the underside of the bow by making a V-shape so she gets on top of the water during towing. He used to hunt alone at times and wanted to use a small outboard with it, so he made a small transom at the stern....

Steve was the original owner. He told me that he called John Kalash in 1979 to order the boat. He knows the exact year because he figured he better get a layout boat before he got married in 1980.....smart fella. The only reason he was selling the boat because all of his friends have retired and moved to warmer climates. I have offered to take him hunting with us and he tells me that he would love to do so!! When I went to Steve's house to bring our new girl home, I was thrilled to see his hand carved cork decoys!!! I told Steve about our website and hope that he visits.

So all in all, a classic boat has changed hands, a new friendship has been sparked, a possible new duckboats.net member has been recruited, and the U.P. divers are no longer safe form the likes of me!!!

Hope you enjoy the pictures!

Donivan

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Thanks for sharing the pictures of the Kalash with modifications. I've been hunting out of a 2-man Kalash since the late 80's and always like to see the various custom designs/changes that people have come up with. I have never seen a Kalash modified to include a transom/motor bracket. We modified ours to include a planer board on the front of the cockpit to make it easier to tow on plane - same idea as on yours.

Not sure if you've had much experience with the layout hunting game. If not you might find the thread at the link below useful/helpful. Have fun!

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/forum/showthread.php?t=341764
 
Donivan,

I'll bet that boat will bring your groups hunting success up a notch this year. I see the anchor rope will hold the folding transom down in the horizontal plane. What arrangement is used for holding the folding transom in the vertical plane?
 
Donivan,

I'll bet that boat will bring your groups hunting success up a notch this year. I see the anchor rope will hold the folding transom down in the horizontal plane. What arrangement is used for holding the folding transom in the vertical plane?
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Thanks for the reply Dave! Actually, the transom is epoxied in place. He did use some angle brackets, I guess for added support. I think once the spray dodger is up and there's 450lbs of manchild seated inside, the transom should disappear below the waterline!!
 
Thanks for sharing the pictures of the Kalash with modifications. I've been hunting out of a 2-man Kalash since the late 80's and always like to see the various custom designs/changes that people have come up with. I have never seen a Kalash modified to include a transom/motor bracket. We modified ours to include a planer board on the front of the cockpit to make it easier to tow on plane - same idea as on yours.

Not sure if you've had much experience with the layout hunting game. If not you might find the thread at the link below useful/helpful. Have fun!

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/forum/showthread.php?t=341764
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Thanks Mike, we have NO EXPERIENCE layout hunting. This year will be the first for all of us. I have always thought it was facinating, so I've read a lot about it. I will check out that link!

Just curious, how do you store you boat both during on/off season?? We are ultimately planning to store it in rafters, the guy gave us a hoist and sling that he fabricated so he could keep it in the garage. She may need to sit outside, off the ground and wrapped in tarps for a few weeks until we can get her to the U.P....will that be OK???

Also, during the season, will it hurt to tie her up to the dock and let her sit in the water when not in use or should we pull it out every night?? I'm sure your Kalash is the same in that only the seams are glassed and the rest of the plywood is just painted....

Thanks,
Donivan
 
My buddy bought our 2-man directly from big John K. and as with yours, only the seams were glassed. My buddy completely glassed the entire outside of the boat after the first season. It's quite a bit heavier, but we tow it behind the tender anyways, and have a small trailer for it, so we don't ever have to lift it onto the tender.

We've always been able to store it inside a building or garage for the off-season.

I think I would be tempted to store it upside down with a tarp over it to be sure that no water ends up setting in the cockpit for days or weeks, and especially if there's a chance it could end up freezing.

I guess if I was given the choice, I'd pull it out of the water at night, especially if there's any chance of it getting banged around by wave action against a dock or seawall, etc.

I hope you end up having as much fun and satisfaction as we have over the years with ours. Good Luck. - Mike
 
I bought mine from John in 1984 at Pt. Mouille driving back with the wife on our honeymoon. She should have turned and run then, because I have been collecting duck boats ever since. bob
 
I bought mine from John in 1984 at Pt. Mouille driving back with the wife on our honeymoon. She should have turned and run then, because I have been collecting duck boats ever since. bob NICE!!! I didn't buy my first boat until after about 10 years of marriage....4 boats later and I think she's contemplating diviorce... Caz, I emailed the previous owner about the paint, should know something today!! Donivan
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