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If you build it, it will float

Posted on July 10, 2018January 4, 2023 by David

Finally, time to do some actual testing.

I had some initial concerns about the  shape of the hull and primary stability which proved valid. The broad v-shape hull with no chine makes for a very tippy boat with poor primary stability. I demonstrate that in the video by rocking the boat side to side and when I stop, it continues rocking.

The good part about is that once the boat leans to the to the shear , it seems to stay and not want to keep rolling. Good secondary stability. This generally means that while it might seem a little unstable in flat water, it should perform pretty well in choppy or fast water where turning and cutting is important.

The bad part is this is not, in it’s current configuration, a beginners boat. I can handle it fine, as the picture shows my wife can handle it as well. But someone just beginning or setting out for the first few times, it will be an handful and a little unnerving.

This last weekend we attended a fun race in Corbin, Ky and I saw an idea that just may work. A couple of SUPs (Stand-Up Paddle boards) had foam outriggers. Training wheels for a boat if you will. I think there’s hope three. Look for another post.

The boat accelerated very quickly but reached what I think was optimum hull speed at about 4.5 mph. (if you’d like an basic explanation of hull speed, check this link out https://www.paddlinglight.com/articles/tutorial/how-much-faster-is-the-longer-kayak/ WARNING, there might be math involved).

I had placed the seat to far back and stern was sitting too low. When I paddled hard, the boat really squatted. So I moved the seat forward almost a foot and it balanced out, even under load and speed. The balance may need some additional tweaking as time goes on.

I also messed up a little with the width of the cockpit. It actually gets narrower as it goes back. Not sure how that happened but I will need to widen the cockpit.

More analysis later after more testing. Next is the coaming, seat, epoxy finish and varnish.

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