Pirogue ?s

J

Jared Baugh

New member
Anybody built one? Looking at building one as my marsh boat. Im trying to keep the weight down and want something easy to maneuver under kayak paddle power.

Ive got myself a 55lbs Golden Retriever. Is 12ft going to be big enough? Or should I go bigger? Im trying to stay small to keep it easy to load and unload.

And are butt joints going to be enough? Or should I scarf them? Its going to be 1/4" plywood so I was afraid to try to scarf with the wood being so narrow.

Thoughts? Any help on this would be greatly appreciated
 
I built a Devlin Broadbill out of 1/4" Okoume and I had no problems with the scarf. Very easy to do. If I remember right I used a 1:8 ratio. I wouldn't let the thickness of the wood deter you from using the scarf joint. Some of the other more experienced wood workers can tell you the benefits of using one joint vs the other.

Fill out your location as well please. Tight group here that likes to know who/where we're dealing with.
 
Jared,

Payson has a book out (I think it's fairly recent) that has a whole chapter, and what look to be some fairly detailed plans, on building a Pirogue.

I was able to borrow the book from a local library. If you can't find a copy in your library, I believe you can purchase the book through Payson's website.

I thought I had Payson's website address in my favorites on this computer, but apparently not. Let me know if you can't find it, and I'll try to locate it on the other computer I use.
 
I used a fiberglass pirogue a lot when I lived in Louisiana. In VERY protected swamps and without a dog. They will float in dew. But are HIGHLY unstable and I am used to both a kayak and canoe. Just my thoughts!
 
How unstable compared to a canoe or kayak? Ive never paddled a pirogue but am very familiar with a kayak and canoe. Ive seen other layouts with dogs and havent heard any real negative feedback thats why I ask.

I figure I can always sell it if I dont like it either and decide what I want instead of it. My biggest problem is Im trying not to have a trailer. My van could pull a small boat but I need something I can paddle and launch myself with my G.R. to keep my costs down. Trailer + a motor and I might as well just get a jon boat or a smaller V bottom aluminum and I really can't afford that.

Im an Eagle scout and have spent a good portion of my life in a canoe so I know how they work. Plus I like the stealth, and diverse locations that a paddled boat gives me and get me into.
 
"How unstable compared to a canoe or kayak? "

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Well, the joke is that a pirogue will tip over if you shave closer on one side than the other!
They are much more unstable than a canoe, which is not very stable in my opinion. The kayaks I have paddled were much more stable than either a pirogue or canoe.
You would be better off building a KARA or even a cheap 12' jon boat than a pirogue if you want stability
 
Jared

A search will turn up much more info for you.

karra2.jpg

 
I built one several years back. Wonderful boat, but I wouldn't put a dog in it, unless you were prepared to possibly take a dunking. Mine was 12' long and I used 1/4" plywood with scarf joints. Very easy to do.

Love the boat, silly me gave it away as a Christmas present....OH WELL>>>guess that means I need to build another one.

Dani
 
Jared, I built a kara 2 years ago and love it. Easy and fun to build and increadably stable.
I paddle mine with a kayak paddle and travel up to 3 miles into the swamp. They pole
very well but I would need a 20' pole for some of the area's I hunt. They hide anywhere!!
John
 
Jared
I have made three using 1/4" 8' 10' & 12' also with increased beams of 24" ,30" & 36" the method is that I can nest them and carry them into some of the no motor zones i duck & deer hunt. I actual searched with google and found three locations that had drawings and written how to build, each one left out a couple of key deminsions but between the three you get all you need to make a pirogue. The 8' one allows me to carry a climbing tree stand, game cart, backpack and whatever I am hunting with. It is also very useful to fill with decoys. guns ammo boxes and camo to us as a barge to walk in thru the marsh. I find that the best means of propulsion is a kayak double end paddle, I can paddle a 1/2 mile in less than 10 minutes.
The best part is that they are inexpensive to build and basic wood working tools are all thats needed.
 
Just out of curiousity for those who claim pirogues = swim lessons, what were the dimensions of yours? Just wondering if increasing the beam would make a difference.
 
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Just wondering if increasing the beam would make a difference.
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Of course it would, however, you may also be changing the basic definition of what a pirogue is. I've been in several kayaks. They have ranged from very stable to very tippy. The real wide ones are very stable but don't paddle nearly as well as their narrower brothers.

Making a pirogue wider will negatively affect the performance factors it has as a basic priogue.
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I understand that the Payson Piroge has 2 chines. I'm not sure, but I think a conventional Piroge has a single chine.

Whatever you do, I suggest you research carefully before you decide to build anything. Also, I recommend you make saftety you're number one priority.
 
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