stitch and glue Kayak.....

LonnieKlein

LonnieKlein

Member
Been thinking of my next project but not sure of a design. I would like to build a Stitch and glue Kayak that I could fit about 2 dozen Decoys, myself and gun and keep it under 150 pounds. Not sure if there is one out there but I'm hunting backwaters in Iowa and don't need to worry about large waves taking on the boat. I built a Kara Hummer and love it but would like to try something even lighter weight and smaller. I don't need to shoot out of it but would like to. Have you seen anything that would meet my criteria or comes close? I would like to build it myself. Thanks!!
 
Lonnie,
Check out the new issue of Small Boats. There is a nice stitch & glue/ Tack and Tape kayak in there.
If I can find the magazine, or remember better, I will repost.
 
Lonnie,

I really really like the looks of their Pinguino 14.5 kit by Pygmy Boats. I haven't built one yet but I'd like to. My use for this boat would be primarily boundary water trips. I don't think this particular model would fit for your use, but you can check out some of their other models.

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A tandem kayak should have enough room for a few blocks& still weigh under 150#. I would get/build a canoe before I'd go for a kayak. A canoe is wider/ more stable than a kayak& a 14' to 16' canoe should weigh well under 100#. Either can be built stitch& glue or stripper style. A web search will give you a bunch of plans& ideas to work from. I'v hunted & shot out of a canoe, not perfect, but workable. Gil Fitspatric(sp) sell a book with several patterns of stripper canoes& how to build them, I have my eye on his 14'er for my next build, closer to 50# with enough roomto hunt or fish out of. JMHO
Dennis
 
Hey Dave,

I built a Pygmy Coho 17.5' about 6 years ago...I would recommend building one...You will not be disappointed...I have taken it many of trips into the Quetico...And will be heading towards Caribou in Manitoba this year...It even packs well at 35 lbs through portages...Took it down Deadmans portage from French Lake into what I believe was Clear Lake, over 1000 rods, then down some river then into Kawanipi...It took most of the day to portage Deadmans Portage due to weather conditions for three of us to pack through with the kayaks due to the length, 2 trips a piece...Just don't go down that route during low water...It took us 1.5 days and about 20 portages once we got into the river system which should have been about a 15 hour trip...But Kawanipi was a beautiful sight once we saw the clear waters on our paddles...

Pumping three liters of water through ceramic filters took hours due to having to clean the filters every half liter...

I have even hunted the Maumee River in Fort Wayne in the boat by stuffing decoys in the hatches and strapping my gun down on the back or in the boat on Lake Syracuse...It is a swift boat when paddles with a Greenland paddle...Pulled to shore once I got there...It is swift and will turn nicely when you lean into the turn...Very stable....

The picture included is heading towards South Manitou Island out of Big Bay area in Bear Sands Dune State Park, Michigan...It is an 8 mile crossing I do about once a year with a buddy...Once out of the bay that day we experienced 12 foot swells with wind blowing out of the south through the straight...I trust my life in this boat very stable...You may notice the light house to the lower right on the island which was about 6 miles out at the time...The life jacket is my secondary in case my CO2 doesn't work properly....I can roll out of most waves...

And the cookie...I usually put on there to eat halfway across...That day my hands never got off the paddle after I took the picture...


Regards,

Kristan


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Kristen,

Sweet photo, bet you wouldn't do that in a "more stabil" canoe, as has been mentioned by another poster.

A canoe is wider/ more stable than a kayak
Click to expand...

One can never make a blanket statement like this with out considering that there are different styles and shapes of kayaks just as in any type of boat. I'd trust crossing the water in your photo to a kayak anyday over crossing the same water/same conditions in a canoe.
 
Dave and Kristan are right on the Pygmy kayaks, good designs, a wide range of kayaks, I think they have precut kits available if lofting seems daunting to you, but my presonal opinion for the use you described, I'd check out Pete McMiller's build of the Devlin Poleboat. I think he came in around 70 pounds.

http://www.duckboats.net/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=123041#123041

I've been wanting to build a small, double ended marsh boat with strip construction, kind of a modern take on the midwest marsh boats...but sadly still in the dreaming process.

Chuck
 
Kristen,

Sweet photo, bet you wouldn't do that in a "more stabil" canoe, as has been mentioned by another poster.

A canoe is wider/ more stable than a kayak
Click to expand...

One can never make a blanket statement like this with out considering that there are different styles and shapes of kayaks just as in any type of boat. I'd trust crossing the water in your photo to a kayak anyday over crossing the same water/same conditions in a canoe.
Click to expand...


Yes, the center of balance is totally different as well. Iw wouldn't dsicount a kayak for stability, but to carry 2 dozen deeks and for the ability to get in and out wearing waders and possibly shoot out of the boat, I think the poleboat is a better fit for the discription there. I love kayaks...in fact there are 4 in my garage...and 2 canoes...and two cars...and a trailer, plus woodworking equipment(and yes, it is only a two car garage...it's tight!)
 
You are right Dave, I'd never take a canoe out in 12' waves. I would not want to "roll out of the waves" with 2 doz. decoys & a shotgun strapped to the back deck either! Lonnie talked about the back waters of IA, never heard of a wave half that size there. My thoughts are easer to pack 2 doz. decoys, shotgun etc. in an open canoe than an enclosed kayak, + 10" to 12" more bottom width, all else being equal, should be more stable to shoot out of. A Devlon pole boat would fit his needs too, as well as other designs could. JMHO.
Dennis
 
Lonnie, Another vote for the Devlin Poleboat. Checkout the pic on my avitar. Mine has become my favorite of the several boats I have to choose from. Mine came in a bit heavier than Pete's but if memory is being fair to me today I tink abought 85# was what mine came in at. Paddles nice and I added a transom for a 4 hp. that helps with the long rides. Stable enough for Booker to wander around on the gunnels and he weighs about 65#. Also it is pretty tough, I don't baby it at all. Give it a serious look. Any ? just ask.
 
Sorry guys I was speaking with Dave more about building the pygmy boat then the actual topic...And trying to convey that the boat can be hunted out of...Also the trip to Manitou is not a hunting trip...It is weekend trip I take once a year to camp on South Manitou Island...

The message was more conveyed as a boat to build and its usages...


Regards,

Kristan
 
I don't mean to highjack the thread, but how does the Poleboat paddle---I'm thinking of building one for use as a fishing kayak. The fact that I could hunt out of it as well is another draw...
 
CLC has several stitch and glue models that would fit the use you are wanting them for.

The new Wood duck series have more open cockpits that traditional kayaks. there are several lengths to choose from based on your needs. Determine your maximum load and go from there.
They have a double that resembles an Old Town twin Otter.
http://www.clcboats.com/shop/boats/boat-plans/wood-duck-double.html

They also have the Mill Creek series of boats which are some of their first boat kits/designs from many years ago.
http://www.clcboats.com/shop/boats/boat-plans/mill-creek-13-stitch-and-glue-recreational-kayak-kit.html

Neither of these boats will win a race with a traditional kayak, but they are stable and have decent load ratings. If built to plan they are also fairly light.

Not matter what plan you decide to build, I recommend finding a copy of Ted Moores "Kayaks you Can Build". It has many great photos of the S&G process, and technical methods to make a great boat better.
 
Keith, The Poleboat won't win a kayak race but I think it paddles just fine for what it can do/ carry. I have looked at the Wood Duck series from CLC also and like what I see.
 
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thanks for all of your input. I really like the boats that you've suggested. I don't think I'll be able to start a new boat until summer but I really like the Idea of a Kayak for ease of transporting, over Dikes and carrying to water where there is no other access. I think I'll continue to look into it but will ask for more opinions from you in the future. Thanks for all of the great ideas. I'll keep you posted!!!
 
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