Question about Kara boats

Dani

Dani

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who on here has built the lightest Kara hummer or robber? How much does it weigh?

I was talking with Steve on possible boats...we need something lightweight, double ended, wide/stable for dogs in the the boat, short so that it'll fit in an airboat and something that tracks well in the water when you paddle...the puddlers don't track well, nor do aquapods. A couple of 10 foot canoes would be ideal and i"m keeping an eye out on that, but we were also discussing other possibilities. We started talking about the Karas and he mentioned he read a post about the lightest Kara built on this site....was curious who built it and how light it actually was....


Dani
 
...the puddlers don't track well, nor do aquapods.
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My 'pod tracks well enough (for me anyways)! It depends on how you're sitting in it, and how the weight of all the stuff you bring with you is distributed. It may not track like a canoe, or a skinnier kayak, but boy is it stable! I have no problems standing up and moving around in it! That, and the fact that I can lift it to cartop it by myself are the main reasons why I bought it. I also built a kara, but it ended up being verrrrrry heavy. Best of luck! AA-
 
Dave-

I've looked at those boats (at least in pictures) and it's a good looking boat....but they're out of my price range right now. I also would like to "test drive" one of Dereks boats before any money is put down...see how well they paddle mostly. So, I'll keep my eye out for a little canoe for me that might be an el cheapo on craigslist or something, but I was still really curious about that lightweight kara....

Dani
 
Carl-

That is an interesting looking boat....thanks for posting that....

Dani
 
Dani,
I built a Kara but modified mine to be a square stern. It was my first boat build and I "over built" it. The lightweight material that the plans called for scared the crap out of me so it became beefier than normal. It is wide, stable and I have had over 600 lbs in it at one time but I would NOT call it light. Mine is trailered and I also have created a removavble "axle" that attaches under the stern so that I can get it down the bank when a ramp is not around. I'm not real sharp but have gorilla strength and it is a handful for me to manhandle. I would think that it would NOT be a good fit for the way you are wanting to use it, even if it was built to lightweight specs. Please contact me if you need pics or more specs, hope you find exactly what you need. Have you thought about the beavertail series? not sure how heavy they are.

dc
 
Dani,

I believe Ed Askew built an "ultralight" Hummer that was under 80#. He had a website documenting the build. You could probably build a Robber under 70#.

Also checkout the "Duckboat" and "Montana Guide Boat" from Paul Butler.

Little chilly in Jax yesterday?
 
Dave-

Thanks for your thoughts on the Kara...I just looked at the beavertail series and it's not quite what I'm looking for but thanks for the idea on that...

Dani
 
A LITTLE chilly in Jax???????????? A LITTLE?!?!??!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!?!

it was 26 degrees yesterday morning, and froze long enough for the pond to have 1/2" of ice on top of it....

tooooooooo cold for my sun loving self....

today was somewhat warmer...only a little...

I'll check out the Paul Butler boats...thanks

Dani
 
The absolute best one i've ever had is this one, but the guy who lends it to me says its a one off. it is really stable has a deck over to lay camo/grass on. Has spud poles on either end and tracks completely straight. And i can pick it up over my head by myself, but I AM MUCH MORE OF A MAN THAN THE LURKING STUMP DANCER

View attachment em w go devil.jpg
 
Dani,check out Pete McMillers poleboat,he modified it to make it real light,the other avenue I would consider would be a Ron Chapman piroque,he does make a small one,I think it is called the copperhead,hope this helps Brian
 
Sounds like this might fit your need..... http://www.gotohellbender.com/
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I've seen these boats first hand and they are nice lightweight short boats as you describe. Owner of the company has posted on this site and I believe he has a couple of baots listed in the DBHF classified area. He splits time between MN and Florida, or at least he was.

I've give these a look over if they meet you needs - very nice craft.

Mark W
 
Sounds like this might fit your need..... http://www.gotohellbender.com/
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I've seen these boats first hand and they are nice lightweight short boats as you describe. Owner of the company has posted on this site and I believe he has a couple of baots listed in the DBHF classified area. He splits time between MN and Florida, or at least he was.

I've give these a look over if they meet you needs - very nice craft.

Mark W
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Mark-

Have you ever paddled them? How well do they paddle? I've seen them posted on FL sites that I visit and they do look like great little boats.

Dani
 
Brian-

the poleboat....thanks...i couldn't remember which one Pete had made....it is a purdy boat....

thanks again

Dani
 
The absolute best one i've ever had is this one, but the guy who lends it to me says its a one off. it is really stable has a deck over to lay camo/grass on. Has spud poles on either end and tracks completely straight. And i can pick it up over my head by myself, but I AM MUCH MORE OF A MAN THAN THE LURKING STUMP DANCER
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Oh I dunno Kris......I think that redfishing is much more 'manly' than that limp rag trout fishing you prefer...more fun too...

Dani
 
A couple of 10 foot canoes would be ideal and i"m keeping an eye out on that,

Dani
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Dani

After hunting this fall with a Fiberdome Widgeon, I'd like to get an aluninum canoe and cut it off 4" above the waterline a weld on a deck. I was thinking of a bigger canoe (16-17') for two people...but you could likewise do it with a pair of small canoes to cut down on the profile. I love the Fiberdome, but it is NOT LIGHT...it is however a heck of alot lighter than it was with saturated foam in the ends.

Chuck
 
who on here has built the lightest Kara hummer or robber? How much does it weigh?

I was talking with Steve on possible boats...we need something lightweight, double ended, wide/stable for dogs in the the boat, short so that it'll fit in an airboat and something that tracks well in the water when you paddle...the puddlers don't track well, nor do aquapods. A couple of 10 foot canoes would be ideal and i"m keeping an eye out on that, but we were also discussing other possibilities. We started talking about the Karas and he mentioned he read a post about the lightest Kara built on this site....was curious who built it and how light it actually was....


Dani
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Ya know Dani...You might look into the Otter Stealth. Light, super stable and it has BUILT IN CUPHOLDERS AND DECOY HOLDERS TOO!!!!!!!!!! I know Steve has always wanted a PE boat and secretly coveted mine when I had it.


Like I said, I couldn't resist... :)


...and no I don't own the damn thing anymore. That was a half a dozen boats ago.
 
Dani,
I have a robber picture of the frame that Mark built.

I would build it as per the plan design. But the short Robber version using 1\4 inch AC underlayment plywood and lumberyard wood you find locally. Dont go nuts adding a lot of epoxy fillets and other add ons.

Here is why. I can load my full size Kara with me and another full size guy and a bag full of plastic decoys and our guns and head out polling in the swamp. So for a dog and one hunter the shorter Robber will be a good load handler.
Now if you like it and it works you wont be out a lot of money and you can test it out with the load you need to carry. IF it is too heavy as built, use it as a mold and pop a glass version off of the one you built. With a foam filled pair of ends and a bulkhead on each end, it would be pretty light and I think you will like it for what you want to do.

Bob
 
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