Boat Plans

Technorati Tags: boat plans, build a boat, build your own, canoe plans, kayak plans, rowboat plans, rushton, skin on frame, ultralight

i have never owned a kayak, and plan to use it mostly for lake fishing. i was looking for the cheapest place, but i am 6′4" 245lbs so that does kind of limit my choices.

I would first find your local kayak dealers in the area and find out when they’re demo days are. Ask them which are suited for your weight. Ride as many as you can. You will know which ones you are comforable with.

The Pelican Castaway is good and you could probably get by with it. It is reasonably priced at $399 w/ paddle and pretty much ready to fish. Problem is you can’t take one out for a test drive from Academy. I would try both 12′ and 14′ models of other brands though. You may feel a bit tight in a 12′. At your weight I would at least look at the models for an extra $400-600. You may find they are better suited for your #. I have a Pelican and a Native Manta Ray. Pelican is much lighter and cheaper made than the big brands. Native, Ocean, Hobie, Heritage, etc all make sit-on-tops for large build folks. The quality in these are much better, are more heavy duty and I’d venture to say you’ll ultimately feel more safe in the better quality kayak. The downside is they’re all going to be heavier and more expensive.

My boyfriend and I are going on a 3 day canoe trip and plan on setting up tent along the way. I’ve been camping and canoeing before but never together. I was wondering what foods would be best to bring and all the limited amount of materials we will need to fit in the canoe with us. I tend to over pack so I really appreciate all the advice!
Thanks!

Clothing:

You can save a lot of space by dressing and packing appropriately instead of bringing a lot. You choice will depend largely on the weather, but basically bring:

Rain/wind coat
sun hat
sunglases
warm hat if cool
Insulation layer if cool – such as polar fleece – stay away from cotton!
2 t-shirts
shorts – nylon prefered
wear a swim suit instead of underwear – or just nylon shorts
long wind/rain/mosquito protection pants if needed (Again avoid cotton)
Shoes and socks that can get wet such as canvas sneakers.

You don’t need to bring spare jacket, insulation layers, etc. Bring a second pair of shoes and socks to wear around the campsite and changes of underwear or what ever, maybe second t-shirt. Rain pants, polarfleece, etc can be rung out if wet and be almost dry. Again, stay away from jeans, sweatshirts, etc which get heavy and miserable when wet.

General equipment

Canoe
paddle per person and a spare
PFDs (lifejackets) – note can be worn for warmth too, work as pillows
packs
sleeping pad
sleeping bag
tent (maybe with ground cloth)
lighter/matches
cook kit
basic utensils
Tarp – optional, but nice if it might rain.
Stove & fuel if you are not cooking on the fire
Grill may be needed if cooking on the fire
water purification system if no potable water available.
Rope – hang food away from animals, for tarp, clothes line
First Aid Kit
Duct tape and/or other needed repair materials
map, maybe compass
Flash light – (I prefer a headlamp)
dish soap, scrubby/sponge
Trowl, toilet paper
toiletries as needed
spare glasses if you wear them
water bottle(s)
insect repellant
sun screen

Don’t bring – axes, saws, lanterns, coolers, etc. Your head lamp is plenty of light. You can break firewood with your hands and axes and saws cause many injuries and you don’t need the space/weight.

Generally, I have one pack for equipement and food and a second for 2 people’s personal gear. Duffel bags would work fine for a river trip with no portages.

Food:

I find one pot meals easiest for dinner

Mac and cheese – throw in some canned veggies,
Saghettie – Can add fried sausage and onion, mmmm
Burritoes – fry beans and ingredients – throw in a warm shell
Rice meal
Bring spices – this makes all the difference!

For lunch

Trail mix
crackers, peanut butter, jam, sausage, cheese,
snacks – chocolate, hard candy, candy bars, beef jerky etc
Hint – keep a butter knife with your lunch food

Breakfast

Hot cereal, pancakes (takes time), granola

Drinks: Coffee, tea, herbal tea, hot chocolate, kook-aid type drinks,

Cheese, summer sausage, onions, peanut butter jelly in ketchbottle type tubes all keep for days. Stay away from sausage that has any poultry or ham in it! There is no need to bring a cooler/refigerated items.

Hang your food at night to keep it away from the animals

Pack all food in ziplock freezer bags – git rid of original boxes. (Hint – squeeze out all air before sealing so they don’t blow up in your pack)

Keep all your stuff in organizational bags and in your packs, not just loose in the canoe. Organize it where you camp, so you can find it and don’t loose it.

You can help keep your sleeping bag dry, by either using water proof back or by using a kitchen garbage bag between it and it’s stuff sack.

http://WoodenBoatPlans.pinurl.com
I’m building a 16′ Banker Dory Boat with the help of plans from this site. It’s for a real-life navigational project, so I need to get the details as authentic as possible.

This link

http://www.portcarlingboats.com/crackerbox%20notes_files/wooden%20boat.jpg

is a picture of a boat. can someone please inform me on what type of boat it is and some plans.
Thanks

the description of the boat calls it a crackerbox.

glen l designs has similar boat designs available including a 15′ crackerbox.

http://boatdesigns.com/departments.asp?dept=2

http://boatdesigns.com/products.asp?dept=207

hope this helps

I Need to build a boat that will support three men and 600 pounds. It will be propelled by paddle. Any tips on boat building and working with play-dough on a large scale would also be appreciated!

LOL I hope you are kidding …

That would be an intense design challenge though. A boat floats, because the fluid in which it is floating offsets the downward pull of gravity and hence pushes it up. You’d have to make a scale model and go from there, playdough is fairly dense AND expensive, plus it would require exensive reenforcing and a way to bond it for long term use..

I am slightly disabled. My husband, teen daughter and I are planning on going kayaking through an outfitter that provides beginners’ trips. They use tandem kayaks. They prefer to have kids go with a parent. If I go with my daughter, does it matter who sits in the front or back of the kayak if I can’t paddle as much as her? Where should the stronger person sit or doesn’t it matter?

The stronger person should sit in the back, that way they can be responsible for steering the kayak as well as keep an eye on the person in the front and offer assistance if necessary.

http://www.ezbuildcd.com/canoe_cart.htm

Hey everyone, I see tons of plans and kits online to build catamarans, kayaks, small fishing boats… I want plans or a kit to build a large speed boat for water skiing! You know like the boat can hold like 6 – 8 people. It would be like 25 feet long, etc. Any one know of any? Thanks.

Try Glen-L Marine Designs… They have quite a few ski boat and power cruiser designs that may be what you’re looking for. Glen-L specializes in wooden boats, but also has plans for boats made from fiberglass, steel and aluminum, and up to 48 feet. My favorites are the big mahogany speed boats designed after the beautiful lake cruisers of the 1930’s, only with modern power and finishing methods.

http://www.glenl.com

where in the www can i find a website which will allow me to download FREE speed-boat plans???

Not tough at all if you don’t mind an older design.Kinda like pulling up to the dock in a ‘57 Chevy made for the water.Check out www.svensons.com for some classics that are even cooler today.He’s got speedboats,hydros,cabincruisers,etc.