Message-Id: <l03010d00af436f47c76d@[206.64.0.121]>
In-Reply-To: <97Mar4.171034est.14742-1@prufire1.prusec.com>
Date: Wed, 5 Mar 1997 11:53:19 -0800
To: baidarka@lists.intelenet.net
From: Eugene & Jayne Freadman <bingo@rosenet.net>
Subject: Re: Kids in Baidarkas
>> My daughter is still under four feet and
>> weighs about 50 lbs.
>> My thoughts were to build around 13-14 ft, 7-8 in interior depth and about
>> 19 inch beam. Keelson to be about 1 inch in depth to produce a flatter
>> bottom.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Jon Stehn
>
>I suggest you look at the Poquito by Wilderness Systems and the Umiak by
>Aquaterra/Perception for an idea of boat size. Both are very good boats
>for small children/adults. You may want to fit the boat like a pair of
>shoes: a little big to allow for some growth. At first she won't be
>able to handle it proficiently, but by the time she achieves a level of
>proficiency she will have grown to fit the boat perfectly.
>
>Or you could just keep building her a new boat every year -- that way
>you'd have plenty of boats for her friends to paddle!
>
Gee, I think everyone is getting to involved with this sizeing thing. My
grandkids have been have been paddling around in Hydra Minnows (30" wide
13" deep I think) and variou adult size kayaks and canoes. They do just
fine in them, The boy started hand rolling a T-Slalom and the Minnow at age
twelve?.
The main thing is lots of time in the swiming hole. Always in a lifejacket
when they are in a boat.
There are old fiberglass slalom length kayaks 13'3" x24" laying around
under houses , in garages , attics ect. You should be able to buy one for
under $200 and get on the water while you take your time building.
A couple of Sevylor blades on a piece of pvc pipe makes a nice paddle for
a small kid.
As always I can be wrong and often am.
Gene
Oregon
bingo@rosenet