Retro51

I built a wooden kayak, called the Lark, from Clark Craft plans. I wouldn't recommend this particular set of plans to a beginner. Here's some of the reasons:
1. Only one picture of the completed boat (which you need to look at as you build), and that was of the bottom
2. Some drawings were hand rendered sketches, not graphic drawings with measurements, etc.
3. No or very few full-size plans - you have to "loft" to get the patterns.
4. Some difficult parts - especially the stem, transom, and the rub rail. Especially difficult if you build it by yourself, which I did.
5. Some veru confusing directions.

I'm still glad I did it, and have a nice usable boat. Now that I have bought and used the plans, and saved my patterns, I wanted to build another, but probably will try another version. There's a free set of plans to a "plyak" for example, that looks pretty easy. Also Glen-L has plans, as do several others.

If anyone wants to see a pic of the completed boat in the water, and a few construction pics, or wants more info, email me on Yahoo, my username is:
ernielambert

Retro51

Just ordered plans from Duckworks Duckworks Boat Builders Supply

I have a set plans for Jim Malachek's Piragua in a book, and was going to try to build it. Here's a link to the Piragua
Duckworks Boatbuilders Supply

But I like the Toto even better and so ordered the plans. It's called a canoe, but it's more like a kayak with an open cockpit. It can be built w/ or w/o decks. It has a slight V-bottom and raised bow and is supposed to be very seaworthy and handle rough chop. It also looks like it would carry more than the sea kayak I was going to build. Here's the link:
Duckworks Boatbuilders Supply

I really like the look of both boats, and both seem pretty easy to build.

Electric Water Boy

Don't remember the exact name of the get together, but there is a meeting of wooden kayak builders. Do a search on TexasKayakFisherman and you'll find it. Look up members there called Pogo and Stryder.

Retro51

WoodenBoat magazine hosts one in different parts of the country, and there's one called a Messabout sometimes. It seems like most of them are on coastal areas - I think one was around Houston a couple of years back.

I found another site for plans for building your own - JEM Watercraft - Canoe Plans, Kayak Plans, other Boat Plans

You can even get free plans for a 13 ft kayak - which I DLd and may try to build sometime.

Since I have a couple of paddle boats already, I want to build something to sail. I think I will build a mouseboat called a flying mouse. Theres a Yahoo group for mouseboats with some pictures, and I have a book with plans.

srds

How you doing on Kayak keep us posted.-Thanks



srds :cool:
Have Fun

deafdave3

I wouldn't mind having plans for home-built pirogues, being I grew up in south Louisiana, but pirogues are useless in this area.

David

Retro51

The weather hasn't been cooperating, so I've yet to go down and get the wood. Taking the time looking at plans and deciding (that would be flip-flopping between designs) which one I want to build.

If you like the pirogue idea, but in a boat you could use where you are, look at the Piragua and the Toto. See the DuckworksBBS link in my other post, or check his yahoo group Michalak@yahoogroups.com

srds

What type of wood are you going to use?

srds :cool:
Have Fun

Retro51

Well I'm still flip-flopping over which boat to build. Now I'm leaning toward the free kayak plans from jemwatercraft.com, but I might try to build an open model with a fore and aft deck, like the Toto plans. I also am thinking about using the same 1/8 in Luan skins I used on the Lark. Seems strong enough, water-proof enough, and lighter and easier to handle. If I build the free canoe (again, with decks) I could still use the 1/8 inch Luan.

First I plan to build a Flying Mouse sailboat, or maybe the Puddle Duck Racer model.

srds

Keep us up on it ,sounds like a fun project.

srds :cool:
Have Fun

Retro51

Regarding plans for Pirogues, there is a very nice one called the Piragua. You can get plans, maybe free, from Duckworks Boat Builders Supply or in the book Ultrasimple Boatbuilding by Gavin Atkin. Here's a Yahoo group for his mouseboat variations:
mouseboats : Mouse Boats

Here's a Yahoo group for the boats like the Piragua and a cool variation called a Toto:
Michalak : Michalak's Small Boat Designs

The Toto is one beautiful boat, much like the Piragua but with a slight V-bottom. I bought these plans ($12) from Duckworks, but have yet to build it.

There's also a free plan set for a cheap canoe, very much like a Pirogue, on Bateau.com - boat plans on line since 1993 I like this one, and may build it yet.

There may be others you can get if do search for Free Plans, pirogue plans, etc.

I am about 75% finished with my Cruising Mouse project, which has features of a canoe, pirogue, John-boat and kayak. It is just under 12 feet, has a short for- and aft-deck for flotation (also makes it easier to get in and out and layout fishing gear, etc. I has enough capacity to carry two with full camping gear, but can be solo paddled like a kayak. It is also from Gavin Atkin, and I have his book but used a PDF set of plans I got from the Yahoo Group.

www.jemwatercraft has some great plans (they designed the free canoe plans a free kayak plans called a Laker). I ordered the Cape Fear set but have yet to build it. Here's the link to their Pirogue plans:
JEM Watercraft - E-mail Plans

Retro51

I just added 2 pics of the boat I'm now buildng, to the Flickr page. It is bottom- up - you can see the skeg and general shape. It's called a Cruising Mouse by Gavin Atkin. I'm still sealing edges, then will add a for-and aft-deck, paint, seats, etc.

Try this link or scroll up for the other one:

015 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

srds

Pretty cool , I have about 2 more weeks before I can start mine.

srds :cool:
Have Fun

__________________
To Camp or Not to Camp -Lets go Camping- Have Fun

Retro51

I just uploaded some more pics (use link above). The boat is nearing completion. We did a water test (both decks on, no seats, no paint) and I paddled it around a bit. I am working on trim, adding the seats (I have two lift-out seats, plus am adding brackets for a board that goes across, like a canoe). It will have a center seat and one in the rear. I may have it on the water by the weekend, or early next week.

The build wasn't without problems, but was mostly fun and feels good to be nearing the end. Good luck with yours.

Retro51

The rest of the pics should be up there now. The color washed out in the pics - it's supposed to be Aqua. One picture on land as I was painting, the rest on the water, with no one aboard.

015 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!