strip built double kayak design choices?

[deltabrent]

Hello.
Anyone have recommendations for a double kayak to be strip built?
For 2 people of completely different sizes but both minimally experienced kayakers.

FYI previous boat building plan has been halted due to a narrow shop door! (good thing I discovered this now)

[RangerAJ]

The Mill Creek 16.5 from Chesapeake Light Craft is a double. It is a stitch and glue design that can be done with a strip deck.

It has a flat bottom and is 33" wide, making it very stable for beginners.

It is more of a "Decked Canoe" than a traditional kayak.

Here is a couple pictures of mine with an Okoume mahogany deck.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30649026&l=05b23688d6&id=1376837575

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30642394&l=3f240973b3&id=1376837575
(http://www.woodenboat.com/forum/?body=http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30649026&l=05b23688d6&id=1376837575&subject=Kayak%20project)

[calfee20]

How about a microbootlegger

http://www.guillemot-kayaks.com/guillemot/BL

..................Tom C

[deltabrent]

I was actually thinking of building a proper double but the micro bootlegger is pretty nice. I'd like to do some weekend camping trips in it to Gulf Islands around the west coast of B.C. Nothing too far but there are some nice places perfect for kayaking.

I have a whole mess of yellow and red cedar with a bit of grain run out that screams strip building. On the other hand I don't have any plywood. I know I won't need much but figure I might as well use this wood.

[mcdenny]

That microBootlegger is pretty sweet.

CLC sells the plans plus CNC cut molds for about $150.

[Todd Bradshaw]

This will probably go over like a lead balloon with this crowd, but after owning five double kayaks over the last 30 years or so, I wouldn't even look seriously at one that's under 20' long. I started back in the '70s with a Phoenix fiberglass double about 16.5' long. It had very little room for gear and tended to squat badly due to inadequate volume aft. I replaced it with a Hyperform double about the same size, but a better design. Even so, it still had minimal space, was fairly slow and not particularly seaworthy. I was a Klepper dealer and picked up a Klepper Arius II, folding double. Great boat and the whole folding thing was brilliant, but it was a bit of a pig in the water due to its short length and fat beam. Very capable, as long as you weren't in a hurry. Then I built an 18' Hazen Nanaimo wood stripper. It was faster, somewhat tender and offered a little more space. It was an interesting build because it had no internal sheer clamp. You built the deck and hull, made sure that they were the same width everywhere and then seamed them together with inside and outside glass seams for a one-piece look.

http://webpages.charter.net/tbradshaw/yak.jpg

Finally, we bought our current double, a 21.5' Current Designs "Libra" (yes, it's fiberglass, but I gave up on worrying whether my kayaks had wood between their fiberglass layers a long time ago as long as they perform the way I want them to.
http://webpages.charter.net/tbradshaw/misc.kayaking-056.jpg

The performance difference in going to the bigger boat is unreal. It's faster, more stable, much more seaworthy, more comfortable, has noticably shallower draft when loaded and has a lot more room for gear. I can stick my wife and mother-in-law in it and not worry about them, but it is quick enough that I don't get bored paddling it. If you really want a good tripping boat that's also fun for day trips where you won't be hindered by having two people aboard, don't sell yourself short. For strip plans for that type of boat, I'd start by looking at the 21' Cape Ann Double.

http://www.oneoceankayaks.com/Kayaks.htm#dblanch
(scroll about half-way down the designs page.

[Gary K]

[/quote]or strip plans for that type of boat, I'd start by looking at the 21' Cape Ann Double.

http://www.oneoceankayaks.com/Kayaks.htm#dblanch
(scroll about half-way down the designs page.[/quote]

I have built two of One Ocean's designs, highly recommended. I would build this double if I thought I had a snowball's chance in hell of getting my wife to go paddling with me in it.

[David G]

I don't know how wedded you are to stripping. This one isn't, but has gotten some good reviews. 20' and quite light. Looks like it's available as a kit, or just plans:

http://www.pygmyboats.com/mall/OSPDBL.asp

http://www.pygmyboats.com/images/dbl2_081.jpg

[ripley699]

I would take a look at "wooden boat 197 " .on Page 100 under launchings,there is a single which is "STUNNING !!"

I am sure that the folks who designed her at "Redfish Custom Kayaks " inPort Townsedn,Wa. have a double plan somewhere !
This photo takes your breath away !
Rip

[garland reese]

I don't think Redfish offers a double plans set. Guillemot Kayaks offer three or four different doubles. The most recreational of the bunch is the Microbootlegger....more of a quiet water decked canoe.

The Great Auk double looks to be a good design, and should be easy to strip. At 21 feet, it should be roomy enough for a voyage, and should be a pretty good double kayak design.

Nick has a new design on the drawing board section. It is a double, drawn in the fashion of his Night Heron series of boats. It appears to be a capable boat as well, and personally, I like the deck configuration, as it makes entry and exit a bit easier, and probably allows for nice foot clearances. It is not a proven design, but plans are available. I think Nick has a good feel for kayak design.

Personally, I really like the baidarka style kayak, from an aesthetic sense. Rob Macks just released a double version of his baidarka type boats. The single versions are beautiful and functional. The double is stunning, and at 21 feet long, 26 abeam, it should be very roomy. Of all the above, this one does it for me.....but I am not by any stretch an accomplished or experienced kayaker.

http://www.laughingloon.com/twinstar.html


Another option... if you know what you are looking for, you could download Ross Liedy's Kayak Foundry software, and design your own. The software is excellent for developing strip built kayak plans from. You should be able to incorporate the basic characteristics you prefer or desire from other boats, into your own set of lines and molds. Probably not the best choice for a first design, but if you've paddled enough boats to know what you prefer, and have good familiarity with the strip/sheated construction methods, this might be a reasonable way to go.

[deltabrent]

All worthy candidates.
Always a catch though. Now being I can't roof top a 20ft boat on my Nissan Sentra!? A trailer dosen't seem like an option either.

[Dan St Gean]

All worthy candidates.
Always a catch though. Now being I can't roof top a 20ft boat on my Nissan Sentra!? A trailer dosen't seem like an option either.

What is the spread of your roof racks--ie distance apart? With a proper bow and stern tie, you should be ok if the bow and stern are in a V to the corners of the vehicle.

Dan

[garland reese]

You can buy or fabricate an extender of sorts, that would spread the hull support further apart than the roof rack supports allow. Folks use these things for hauling 26 foot racing singles on their cars. I've not tried it..... but I've seen it done a bunch at rowing regattas across the country over the years.

The big difference being a racing shell is narrower and lighter than a double kayak.

Definitely a challenge, but perhaps, not insurmountable.

You can get a class I hitch for your Sentra, I believe....

If you're planning on kayaking stuff other than quiet water.... small lakes, close in; I'd opt for a proper tripping capable double, and make certain I had good safety gear and some experience under my belt. It's incredibly easy to find yourself pretty much to your own devices, should you get in to a bit of trouble. Self sufficiency and proficiency is likely the kayker's greatest asset. Even in the easy and quiet waters, being able to rescue yourselves and your boat and gear are very important. Hopefully others here, with lots of experience and knowledge can help you along in your quest for a good design.

Good luck in your search. Let us know what you decide upon...