layout boat paddling

Jon Zuccolo

Active member
So I was thinking about the layout boats I have seen here and wondered if anyone could comment on how well they paddle.

Some of the UFO types look like they wouldn't track well, but wonder what kind of distance one could REASONABLY cover. Or is it always the case that people use a tender?

Looks like stability should not ever be an issue, so I wonder why they are build like a box under water? Maybe its just easier? In either case, if I were to design one it would have at least a pointed hull...
 
Jon,
look at the Kalash. It has a coffin shape lower section. A bunch of them have a taper in one end. But I have only seen a photo once of one fitted with oar locks.
It was being hunted on a lake in the South West.

I am sure you could cover a good bit of ground, but I would not want to do it if the wind came up or to chase birds that were crippled. Never mind being cooped up with a wet dog in the coffin.

A scull seams like a better answer.

Bob
 
Hi . The boats we made had a slanted front for easier towing and rowing. We always use the take apart kayak paddles for paddling. If the wind isn't real strong it's easy to unhook the boat from the mooring anchor and paddle to retrieve a cripple that's pretty close. Bob H
 
Jon,
The only way I've hunted a box with a paddle was when we threw a few decoys in and slid the box across the ice to a hole.
I was much younger and not easy work but we killed a lot of birds when others seasons had ended. The trick was getting back on the
ice from the boat and the secret is knowing the water and it's depth well. They don't paddle well but in thst situation you were basicly
in a small pond in a sea of ice so there were no waves or current to contend with.
Lots of fun but not for the meek!! John
 
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