Kayak Testing

I had a chance to paddle the new kayak this week briefly and get an idea of her speed. We had done some basic model testing and drag prediction of this hull so we were curious to get some data from the "full size model".

I was able to achieve 5.4 knots (6.2 mph)  flat out. This corresponds to around 11.5 lbs of force applied. At this speed wave making resistance accounts for just slightly over half of the total resistance of the hull. Note the clearly visible bow and stern waves when she is at speed indicating that we are very close to hull speed.

The as seen weight here is 38 lbs. With paint, hatches and deck rigging the finished boat should come in right around 45 lbs. More to come. I will look forward to hearing Floatsome's comments on maneuverability of the boat after he gets her broken in.

A kayak in your Future

Started working on a new Kayak for a friend and fellow Watertriber Floatsome after kicking around design ideas for a few months in our spare time. She is very similar to the Mirage 530 and will utilize an old Mirage rudder. Converted into stitch-and-glue construction with recessed deck hatches and bent plywood cockpit ring the aim is to have a stiff light kayak for expedition and surf play.

 Floatsome plans to have her on the beach in March for the Ultra Marathon.

Surf SUP

While I was pretty gung-ho about building my own Stand Up paddle boards, after pricing out materials I decided to just buy used. Two paddle boards later, here we are paddling around Harbor Island. Planning to take the board back out into the surf soon.

New EC Design Rolled Out

Just finished up a new design for watertribe friend Jim (AKA Sundance) Click Here to see his building blog. She is a folding trimaran designed to go up against the Hobie AI and TIs that have started to dominate the "mini-class 5" entries in the watertribe over the last few years. The 4mm stitch and glue construction, enclosed sea-kayak style cockpit and narrow 21" main hull set her apart from her plastic competition.

She will feature, folding crossbeams, kick up rudder and centerboard as well as a skeg for extra trimming options and tracking in large downwind conditions. Look for her on the beach in 2014. Looking forward to Sundance's build pictures.

Back in the Carolinas

We made it home early monday afternoon. Lots of new lessons learned from the show. Lots of ideas on how to improve the kit especially for the boatshow and how to speed up the build process. This time we actually wrote them down!!!

So... how do we get this boat out of here?!?

Decks went on, joints were taped, parts were distributed and questions were answered. It's all up to them to finish now.

We packed up the trailer and begin our trip home.

Last pic: notice the boat shaped grass preserves.

Day 2 a Blur of Epoxy

Various stages of completion. Daggerboard trunks installed. Decks coated.

Top: Graham assists glassing the Jesse

Next: Father, son, grandson work tirelessly on their Amanda named 'OLD GUY' ... after the father.

End of day 1

6 hulls together. Gunwales on. Tomorrow fiberglass.

Ready to build

Finally made it and got all setup.

Adventure on the road

Well we've paid our due to the road trip gods. Hopefully a pair of trailer wheel bearings will be an acceptible sacrifice.