Which boat? | SouthernPaddler.com

Which boat?

NWDad

Well-Known Member
Oct 4, 2015
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1
I am moving to north Florida sooner than planned. Medical Retirement, I originally was going to build a Southwind to use here in Washington state. I am thinking with my back and right leg permanent issues a Sasquatch would be the better choice as I will be using it around the Lake City/Live Oak area. That is where we are moving to. Thoughts?
 

oldsparkey

Well-Known Member
Aug 25, 2003
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Central , Florida
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my thoughts are that the Sasquatch would make a great canoe for you to use in the upper part of Florida. I have paddled a lot of the rivers in that area and the way the Sasquatch handles it would be perfect. One additional advantage is you can make it to suit yourself which makes it even better.

I haven't made a Southwind so I can't compare it the the Sasquatch.
A couple of questions.........

The practical question 1st........
1. Which boat would it be easier to get in and out of with back and leg issues ?

This question might sound funny but looks can be a decidiing factor.
2. Which one do you like the looks of ?
 

NWDad

Well-Known Member
Oct 4, 2015
54
1
my thoughts are that the Sasquatch would make a great canoe for you to use in the upper part of Florida. I have paddled a lot of the rivers in that area and the way the Sasquatch handles it would be perfect. One additional advantage is you can make it to suit yourself which makes it even better.

I haven't made a Southwind so I can't compare it the the Sasquatch.
A couple of questions.........

The practical question 1st........
1. Which boat would it be easier to get in and out of with back and leg issues ?

This question might sound funny but looks can be a decidiing factor.
2. Which one do you like the looks of ?

Chuck,
In answer to your questions I like the looks of both. As for getting in and out the Sasquatch would be the easier of the two to get out of. Higher seating position. I have read Harrymic's builds on both here and on Jem's Forums as well as your build. The upper body6 is pretty good so paddling either one should not be a problem. I grew up on the rivers around Kayak Jack's area so that is not an issue.

Kevin
 

Kayak Jack

Well-Known Member
Aug 26, 2003
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Okemos / East Lansing Michigan
Kev, both the Northwind, and the Southwind, boats are modeled after Verlen Kruger's Sea Wind canoes. Googelize "kruger canoes". The Southwind has two less panels in the hull, so is a simpler build. The Northwknd is a bit more streamlined. Both are truly "swamp to sea" boats, designed for expeditions.

I tecommend that you contact Matt directly, and discuss uour concerns with him.
 

beekeeper

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Mar 4, 2009
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Why choose one. Build both and then you will know wich one works the best for you.:rolleyes:
I'm with Chuck, build the one that looks the best to you.
Why would one be easier to get in and out of? Both have the same midship height (13.5") and the same beam (30").
 

NWDad

Well-Known Member
Oct 4, 2015
54
1
Why choose one. Build both and then you will know wich one works the best for you.:rolleyes:
I'm with Chuck, build the one that looks the best to you.
Why would one be easier to get in and out of? Both have the same midship height (13.5") and the same beam (30").
The height of the seat in the Sasquatch is taller than the seat in the ld make it easier for me to get in and out of.
 

beekeeper

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Mar 4, 2009
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Never considered that. I did not see any reference to seat height when I looked at the specs.
Since I don't build canoes, somebody school me. Why would these boats have different seat heights?
 

NWDad

Well-Known Member
Oct 4, 2015
54
1
You can build te seat height as you wish. Plans are a starting point. Where it ends up is a builder decision.
Thanks Jack, I have figured that the seat height would have to be lower in the Southwind for stability reasons.
 

beekeeper

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Mar 4, 2009
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Thanks Jack, I have figured that the seat height would have to be lower in the Southwind for stability reasons.

The hulls appear to be the same except for the height of the stems, and one is decked. I don't see how either would effect seat height. What am I missing?
 

oldsparkey

Well-Known Member
Aug 25, 2003
10,479
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Central , Florida
www.southernpaddler.com
The hulls appear to be the same except for the height of the stems, and one is decked. I don't see how either would effect seat height. What am I missing?

It's the difference between ( the persons center of gravity ) in a kayak and a canoe. One you sit low and the other you sit mid height or higher depending on the builder/paddler. I can store stuff under the seat in my Sasquatch ( Canoe ) but in the kayak my butt is basically on the floor.
 

beekeeper

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Mar 4, 2009
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I thought both boats were canoes? I understand different seat heights for different designs, but these two seem almost identical.
 

NWDad

Well-Known Member
Oct 4, 2015
54
1
They are different. The Southwind is 17'9" long, 28" wide and Height bow/mid/stern 12.5"/10"/14.5. The Sasquatch I am looking at is 18'6" long, 36" wide and Height bow/mid/stern 20"/14"/20". Not a big difference but different enough for what I need.
 

oldbuffpilot

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May 13, 2014
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Central Kansas and Central Texas
They are different. The Southwind is 17'9" long, 28" wide and Height bow/mid/stern 12.5"/10"/14.5. The Sasquatch I am looking at is 18'6" long, 36" wide and Height bow/mid/stern 20"/14"/20". Not a big difference but different enough for what I need.

For what it's worth, I've been amazed at the difference in stability between designs. For instance I assumed that the JEM TV 12 32 would be a little less stable than the TV 15 32 because of length difference. I was only partially right --there is a big difference in stabliity. 10" seat in the 15 32 and 3" seat in the 12 32. Neither one nearly as stable as the Craw dad. Guess that is why Matt makes different designs.

Andy
 

beekeeper

Well-Known Member
Mar 4, 2009
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They are different. The Southwind is 17'9" long, 28" wide and Height bow/mid/stern 12.5"/10"/14.5. The Sasquatch I am looking at is 18'6" long, 36" wide and Height bow/mid/stern 20"/14"/20". Not a big difference but different enough for what I need.

These are two radically different designs. You did not state which models you were asking about, nor what kind of paddling you intended to do. I assumed boats of similar size and features since the only criteria you mentioned was where you intended to paddle. I was comparing the 15'-30" size offered in both boats. If the ability to get in or out of the boats you are considering, is your deal breaker the Sasquatch would be the obvious choice.
The two boats you are comparing are so different I don't understand why you would consider them. I don't know your needs or usage but I would think that if one fits the bill the other would be unsatisfactory. I have muddied the waters enough so I will let the canoe people try to straighten things out.
 

oldsparkey

Well-Known Member
Aug 25, 2003
10,479
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Central , Florida
www.southernpaddler.com
These are two radically different designs
The two boats you are comparing are so different
I don't understand why you would consider them. I don't know your needs or usage but I would think that if one fits the bill the other would be unsatisfactory. I have muddied the waters enough so I will let the canoe people try to straighten things out.

OK , I confused ??????
Beekeeper said in a few posts back.
The hulls appear to be the same except for the height of the stems, and one is decked.
 

NWDad

Well-Known Member
Oct 4, 2015
54
1
Thanks everyone. Beekeeper, you have not muddied the waters at all. All of you have been a big help and helped me to see and choose the right craft. Now all I need to do is get through the next nine months and the move then I can start the build of my Sasquatch.
 

beekeeper

Well-Known Member
Mar 4, 2009
1,917
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Chuck you are confused because I was. I compared a Sasquatch 15-30 to the Southwind15-30. They are almost identical hulls. NWDad was not. He did not state in his original question the model number or size of the boats he was comparing. That and the lack of standard definitions for hull designs led to my assumption/mistake that he was building two canoes. On the web site both are described as canoes. The two I compared would be functionally almost the same. One is a decked canoe one is an open hull.
The Southwind17-9 might be called a kayak by another designer or paddler. You did so in your Wed. reply regarding seat height. That confused me because I thought we were talking about canoes. I went back to the description page and both designs are called canoes. Hull descriptions should probably be the subject of another post.
I still say build both. I have built several boats that did not work out for me, but I enjoyed each build.
 
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