Firewood or a boat?

[beekeeper]

Joey
I considered a longer boat, and the use of an outrigger befor I built the skiff. My goals were a simple, easy to paddle, stable enough for my large size, fit in my truck by myself, boat to fish out of. A longer boat with outrigger would meet the goals of stability and easy to paddle, but would be a compromise of simplicity and fitting into my truck. My skiff is simple to use, stable, easy to load, and I didn't have to remove my tool box for it to fit in my truck. It is not "hard" to paddle, but after leisurely paddling and fishing all mourning with a tail wind, the return paddle into a stronger wind could have been easier. I am not an experienced paddler. The boat may be easy. I have no experience base to know. Your comment about it's pace and the head wind trip makes me believe it is not.
I'm trying to decide what and how much any changes will be, befor doing all work.

Chuck
How wide was the bottom of the boat at the transom? It may be I can have a narrower transom, keep the same length of boat without too much loss of stability.

beekeeper

[oldsparkey]

It was really narrow , about an inch at the most with about 6 inches at the top. Just enough that later on I could of put a small trolling motor on there, if I would of wanted to.

Chuck.

[Kayak Jack]

... Why not a fairly long and skinny pirogue/kayak type boat with removable outriggers? ...

Here is a site that has good sponsons. The guy is a nut, but his product is good. I have them and like them. http://www.sponsonguy.com/

But, be forewarned, this guy is a fruitcake.

[beekeeper]

Chuck
I understand now. Your boat is pointed under water, a dull point, but not a pronounced square like mine. If I would have added another foot to the rear of my boat it could have been pointed, but not fit into my truck without removing the tool box.

kayak Jack
Thanks for the "interesting" link but now I'm too scared to get back in my little boat. Good to learn if I capsize and die somebody else will be at fault fault ($ $ $).

beekeeper

[Kayak Jack]

Bee, for nothing else other than a good example to your kids and family, ALWAYS wear a PFD if even approaching the water. The example will teach the kids that "Even the Olde Man believes what he does." lesson.

And, of course, there's always the offhand chance that it will save your sorry ar$e. But the rally important thing is - it could save THEIRS.

[beekeeper]

Kayak Jack
I'm puzzled as to you assumptions. You posted the link by the "fruitcake", your words. I was humorously commenting on it's death and doom tone. The purpose of the at the end. The site also portrayed different groups responsible for all types of deaths including people wearing PFD's. My comment about this was followed by a indicating another attempt at humor. I should have refrained from sarcasm and commenting on any thing not boat building or paddling. Your opinion of me being a"sorry ..." is is not puzzling to me. It's the fact you assumed I'm not a responsible user of nor an advocate for PFD's use, that puzzles me.

beekeeper

[Kayak Jack]

Well, I blew it. Sorry 'bout that.

[funbun]

You could also consider Gary Dierking's Three Board Canoe. It has a separating hull design and no part of the boat is more than 8 feet long.

It's mostly a sailing vessel, but I've emailed him and this kind of boat is used for fishing open water in the south pacific a lot. I wanted to build one, but I've settled on a jon boat: not much waste, lots of carrying capacity, and don't need much speed.

If you want more speed, just throw a trolling motor on the thing. As they say in aviation, anything can fly if you give it enough thrust. For me, I'm tired of paddling. I want to fish.

[Kayak Jack]

Take apart boats offer a special appeal all their own. I've seen canoes that come apart into two,and three sections. The boat does not need a full bulkhead at points of attachment. They do, however, need a reinforced lip of a few inches deep where they bolt together - and a good seal.

Properly done, all sections will nest into each other. They will not be symmetrical, or equal length. Length and width has to be carefully considered for nesting to be permitted.

[Coal]

Some other nesting designs by Ken Simpson.

http://www.duckworksbbs.com/plans/simpson/EZ/index.htm

[funbun]

Very nice! Gierking's method uses washers, nuts and bolts. Either way, I think I'll stick with butt joints: simple, effective, strong and durable.

[beekeeper]

Well, I blew it. Sorry 'bout that.

No offense taken. I just did not want anybody to think I was against their use.

beekeeper

[Kayak Jack]

Bee, I'm glad I was wrong. You're likely a better guy than me. (Although, god knows, that ain't much of a compliment.) The message about setting examples for kids goes out to all of us. We geezers sometimes think rules don't apply to us, and in truth sometimes they shouldn't.

But it is important for we experienced guys to show kids the right stuff every time, and make it a habit with them.


climbing down off soap box, going inside to get a Hershey bar, cuz I deserve one .... maybe two

[beekeeper]

Coal & Kayak Jack
The nesting and folding boats are interesting, but I wanted a boat you could slide out of the truck and go fishing. I would probably forget one section at home.
From the previous input it seems I have these choices or options to improve the design of my boat and still meet my goals at a compromised but acceptable level:
1, Remove my tool box or find a better way to haul the boat in my truck. This would allow me to increase the length by adding a pointed stern. Probably 1' to 2'.
2. Remove the outside chines and/or make the bottom narrower. I think I would have to increase flair of the sides to compensate for the reduction of stability and capacity this would cause.
3. Refine the bottom shape to a more streamline symmetrical profile. Flaring the sides more may be needed. The sides would have to be adjusted to keep the rocker the same. I like the way it tracks as is. It is much better than my other boat that has more.
My dilemma is I don't know which change would bring the most increase in speed or if the gain will be worth the other compromises. I know seedtick says build one out of cheap wood and if you don' like it give it away or us as firewood.

Has anybody paddeled a 3 rib and a 4 rib Uncle John' Pirouge? I woud like your impressons of each, stability ,tracking, capacity and speed.

beekeeper

[jdupre']

Bee, you're going to fret yourself to a frazzle trying to come up with the perfect boat. No such thing. If the length thing is a deal breaker, build the narrowest boat that you feel comfortable with and don't worry about the extra .5 ( yes, that's 1/2 mph) you'll give up in cruising speed.

If the tool box is in the way, just build a rack so the longer boat can sit level on it. That should be a cake walk for a seasoned boat builder.

PS. I carry my 16+ foot pirogue in the bed of my compact truck with no problem. Got more sticking out than in. I just bungee a big red T shirt on the stern and hit the road. 50 outings and hundreds of miles with no problems.