A new kayak

Martin P said:
Ah yes. That makes sense .Your paddle looks a much finer and more graceful shape than mine too. Nice one
Click to expand...

My first one looked a lot like yours! I've had a bit of practice and learnt to paddle properly since then, so I know what I want and how to achieve it. Graham Warren has written a couple of good books if you're interested.
Home
 
Thanks for that. Never even been In a canoe yet. 2 more coats of paint and a paddle reshape!! to go. Need to find somewhere quiet I think
 
Thanks for the link Mr Mastodon. What a fantastic site and how I want to build a 16 ft wood and canvas canoe now
 
Martin P said:
Thanks for that. Never even been In a canoe yet. 2 more coats of paint and a paddle reshape!! to go. Need to find somewhere quiet I think
Click to expand...

I don't think your paddles are too far off, as Mastodon suggested, a bit of reshaping and good to go.

I'm a bit of a novice myself, but it's a great hobby.
 
Also have a look at the SOTP forum. There is a section on self build canoes and step by step photo's. Some fantastic work on there.
 
Martin P said:
Thanks for the link Mr Mastodon. What a fantastic site and how I want to build a 16 ft wood and canvas canoe now
Click to expand...

That's the slippery slope...

Most folks go for woodstrip with GRP coating. Wood/ canvas is another step beyond...


...and then there's birchbark...
 
Mastodon said:
That's the slippery slope...

Most folks go for woodstrip with GRP coating. Wood/ canvas is another step beyond...


...and then there's birchbark...
Click to expand...

I watched a program where Ray Mears built a Birch bark canoe. Amazing stuff.
 
IMG_20150919_130244.jpg

Better I think
Watched Ray Mears
Becoming hooked
 
Looks like Ash in the photo but its Douglas Fir (Oregon Pine) . I used it because I had a plank left over from a job. When I have gained a bit of paddling experience and know exactly what I want I've got a plank of cherry but these will get me started
 
Martin P said:
Looks like Ash in the photo but its Douglas Fir (Oregon Pine) . I used it because I had a plank left over from a job. When I have gained a bit of paddling experience and know exactly what I want I've got a plank of cherry but these will get me started
Click to expand...

If you build a solid paddle, you can use the cutouts laminated to a narrow plank for your next one. The one in my picture is cedar of Lebanon offcuts with an iroko grip. I usually varnish but leave the grip plain and oil it. If you run the tip across a circular saw and cross laminate a piece of oak, it stops the tip splitting so you can make a thinner blade.
 
Good idea to save the cutouts for the next paddle.. Do you mean to run a slot in the paddle tip to insert the oak strengthener?
 
Martin P said:
Good idea to save the cutouts for the next paddle.. Do you mean to run a slot in the paddle tip to insert the oak strengthener?
Click to expand...

Yep. Hold the paddle vertical against the saw fence, the grain on the strengthener goes side to side like plywood.
 
Oi Martin P. I'll give you "Is that a fishermans float in the Reeds"!
 
How did you get on boating the Wye?
Ross on Wye being my neck of the world
 
how to carry your raptor kayak

I searched for a long time for some way to carry a yak without towing, my roof is full of solar panels so that only left the back. The rack shown was built and is now almost finished, just need to instal a lefthand light cluster on the lefthand limit tray.

the yak is locked on the crossbar and seats in non slip recesses at the top and bottom. The ratchet strap ensures nothing moves. It is easy for me to load and unload the raptor on my own. The reversing camera was moved off-centre so it could still be used. We have just completed a 500 mile round trip with it on the back. No bother at all. Roll on the warmer weather.


Despite carrying it all around South Wales I never got to launch it, the arthritis in my shoulder was so bad I actually had trouble driving so came home early. Never get old guys there is no future in it. But we still had a great trip and I fished Barry docks, well that is to say I got the line wet, never caught owt.
The weather was great for the whole trip, not a cloud in the sky most of the trip.

Is that a RED KITE flying by?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who viewed this discussion (Total:0)

Back
Top