Talking About Adventure In Small Boats
If you have been thinking of building a boat and need a shop to do it in, take a look at the latest Small Craft Advisor (No 84, Nov/Dec) on page 41. I'm checking out my backyard as soon as I post this.
Also, a nice writeup on Jarhead by Hugh Horton on page 49.
Of course, I basically read it from cover to cover so lots more good stuff.
Well, don't let my wife see this post, but I am getting more and more serious about building a kayak.
At this point I am trying to decide between the CLC Shearwater 17, the CLC Arctic Hawk, and the CLC Great Auk.
Two of these are more Greenland style which I really like. The Great Auk is more general purpose and could make a nice platform for class 3 again.
Then again I may still get an NDK Explorer HV. This is a boat that I really, really like a lot. I don't know how the Shearwater or Arctic Hawk compare.
Jaybird
Member
My wife had an Arctic Hawk and it was a nice boat, but it has some drawbacks. First, it desparately needs a skeg. Since you're building it yourself you can probably manage this. Hers was a production boat and I didn't have the guts to cut a hole in it for fear it would never be right again.
Also the front hatch is a small round hatch, the same as day hatches on most boats. This made packing a challenge for her and on camping trips I carried some of her gear more often than not. Again building your own, this might be something you can tweak.
My last gripe issue with it was the lack of recessed deck fittings. I took a particluarly good thrashing one day in the surf and a deck fitting took a hunk out of my greenland paddle. I guess the raised fittings are a fact of life with a lot of wood boats, but I try to avoid boats with them now.
She eventually sold the Artic Hawk and bought a P&H Bahiya which is a simiar style boat that overcame some of the Hawk's challenges.
All that said it was a beautiful boat. It's fast, a great surfer and an excellent roller.
Yes, I would have to change the hatches for sure. Also, flush deck fittings could be done.
I am still considering the Kari-Tec skeg/rudder. No matter what it would have to have a class 1 sail.
Another mod would be a day hatch.
Chief,
Julie and I will be picking up our kits from CLC this weekend for a Shearwater 16 and a Chesapeake 16lt. I like the idea of a day hatch. FEKS also suggested using factory hatches instead of the CLC wood hatches. How leaky are they?
I'll be adding a rudder and 1m sail rig too.
Frank
Sharpie:
When I mentioned changing the hatches, I was referring to the Arctic Hawk. The only reason to change them is to make them a bit larger. For example, look at the NDK Explorer. Normally they have a rather small round hatch in the rear deck. But they offer an option to change it to a larger oval hatch. If I get an Explorer, I will order that option.
On a wooden boat, I might keep the wood hatch covers but make the opening a bit bigger. Of course the normal hatches on most of the CLC kayaks are fine. It's hard to tell from just the photos on the web site, but the Shearwater may be fine as is.
Even if adding a day hatch, I'd try to stay with wood if possible. Also, rather than the rubber hatches most kayaks have for that I'd take a hard look at the Epic 18X Sport and try to do something like that with wood. It is just much easier opening and closing while twisting around in your kayak. Of course, I'm stiff as a 2 x 6, you two are probably a bit more flexible.
Chief,
Julie and I were able to paddle the Shearwater 17 and Chesapeake 16LT last weekend - awesome fun. The hatches seemed pretty big to me, but I'm a newbie to touring kayaks. I can hardly wait to try a roll in the Shearwater.
I'll be in the CLC showroom on Saturday so let me know if you want me to take measurements or take pictures. For shearwater, or any other CLC boat.
I love the flush hatches on the Shearwater. They have a gasket, channel and drain system that looks pretty good.
Frank
Yes, I agree that the standard hatches in the Shearwater look to be just fine for an expedition load including portage gear. But I don't see a day hatch. I always like the idea of a day hatch, but I have never actually used one on the water. I also like the newer boats that have a small access point on the forward deck. But again an under deck bag probably works as well as long as it doesn't block a wet exit.
My problem right now is that a year or so ago I told my wife to shoot me if I start building another boat. Ever since she saw that post she wasn't supposed to see, she's been running around waving a gun and screaming at me. I'm not sure what to do.
LOL. I sympathize with your situation. If you happen to survive and start a boat, what might you do for flush fittings? Something like this http://www.shearwater-boats.com/Flushdeckfittings.htm ?
EchoFin
Member
I'm really not liking the hatches in the Chesapeake plans, I'm on my third attempt (tonight before the Suwannee Challenge on Sat) to cut them out and mold them to the correct curvature of the deck, fore and aft, in order to get that water tight seal. It may be "springback" thats causing an incorrect curve/fitting but this wood is pricey and I dont want to try a fourth time. In case it doesn't work, are there other ways to do this, without Okoume?
Jon
Chief wrote:
.... My problem right now is that a year or so ago I told my wife to shoot me if I start building another boat. Ever since she saw that post she wasn't supposed to see, she's been running around waving a gun and screaming at me. I'm not sure what to do.
Step one... always remember the difference between cover and concealment!
Yes, those flush deck fittings are exactly what I had in mind.
I was just planning to dodge the bullets as part of my derby workout :)
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