Feather Pram for Kotik

[johngsandusky]

Re: Feather Pram for Kotik

I routinely use trim ballast in my tenders. I like a 25# shot bag. I can trim her neutral, or by bow or stern for wind. I can still row from the middle thwart with my slim wife in the stern if I put the shot all the way forward. I initially used it in a very light tender to increase stability underfoot.

[stromborg]

Re: Feather Pram for Kotik

The Feather Pram is small, very small, some might call it tiddly...and more or less shaped like a shallow soup bowl, adding weight is about the last thing I'd want to do. My Portage Pram, same general dimensions but flat bottomed is a much nicer boat to be in.

[IanMilne]

Re: Feather Pram for Kotik

Thanks, John. That's constructive.

Thanks, Steve. I thought it might fit on the roof of Kotik, which it sort of does but is too much in the way, and I wouldn't want to tow it everywhere, so it's not very practical for us. We will continue to carry our cheap inflatable in Kotik. It was a good building experience anyway, as a covid lockdown project. I will probably sell it in the spring. My HV13 wi be good for local excursions.

Cheers,
Ian

[Peerie Maa]

Re: Feather Pram for Kotik

I routinely use trim ballast in my tenders. I like a 25# shot bag. I can trim her neutral, or by bow or stern for wind. I can still row from the middle thwart with my slim wife in the stern if I put the shot all the way forward. I initially used it in a very light tender to increase stability underfoot.

Do not use ballast that can sink the boat.
A plastic jerry can of water is neutrally buoyant if you swamp the boat.

[johngsandusky]

Re: Feather Pram for Kotik

I guess I'd better start cutting the tons of iron and lead off my ketch!

[stromborg]

Re: Feather Pram for Kotik

Thanks, John. That's constructive.

Thanks, Steve. I thought it might fit on the roof of Kotik, which it sort of does but is too much in the way, and I wouldn't want to tow it everywhere, so it's not very practical for us.

Cheers,
Ian

When I'm day-sailing Marianita I don't tow the pram unless I'm experimenting with some facet of life with a boat in tow. Still working out when the towline should be long or short and managing the whole thing when leaving the dock. With our tides I have to anchor pretty far out so having the pram along is pretty handy but it is yet another thing to manage while underway.

[IanMilne]

Re: Feather Pram for Kotik

Hello Nick, Thanks for that good advice. Yes, water ballast would be easily adjustable, and would float if the container wasn't quite full
I like your yoal, by the way. I have a Shetland family connection. We have been there twice. I have read about the tides in Morecombe Bay too.

Thanks, Steve. Keeping Kotik at home as we do, it would be a problem to take the pram dinghy on a trip as well, so we will continue to carry our inflatable. It rows quite well facing forwards, with me kneeling astride one of the seat cushions. We can both sit in it, with me rowing in the usual way. (This was on our Abel Tasman trip, Feb. 2020.)
DSCN6570.jpg

Cheers,
Ian