Date: Sun, 15 Nov 1998 11:14:15 -0800 (PST)
Message-Id: <199811151914.LAA29164@ns.intelenet.net>
To: baidarka@lists.intelenet.net
From: redcanoe@pangea.ca (Douglas Ingram)
Subject: Re: baidarka Putz book questions
I would agree with Charles in his general recommendations as to an
appropriate type of boat for your needs.
For your needs I would see that ease of transport and ease of access to your
sporting supplies to be high on the list of desirable traits. A short
canoe, 12 -13' in length, and generous in beam compared to touring kayaks,
would be my first choices. For fishing and hunting, you need the kind of
stability that will allow you to concentrate upon other things than keeping
your watercraft under control, particularirly as you haven't grown up
hunting in these things all of your life. Many small canoes can be used
very comfortably with a double-bladed paddle.
There are many paddle sport shops in the Minneapolis are, although the only
one that I have had the chance to visit is Midwest Mountaineering. They
have an extensive selection, and many of the staff are avid kayakers. Any
good shop will allow you to try out a selection of craft before you
purchase, and many of them have test paddling sessions from time to time.
>Greg Fransen wrote:
>>
>> I am not a kayaker, but I have toyed with the idea of getting a kayak
>> for use fly fishing and possibly duck hunting. However, I was always
>> taken aback by the costs of a store-bought boat.
>
>Since I'm not into long, thin kayaks, let me toss out some alternative
>ideas. I have something called a "Pokeboat" (http://www.pokeboat.com/).
>The price is too high, but I really enjoy mine. What's relevant are the
>dimensions. At 12' x 32" it's considered short and fat by kayak
>standards, but it's designed so you can put your paddle aside and shoot
>or fish from it. I haven't raced with experienced kayakers, but I'm told
>the Pokeboat is not noticeably slower, despite it's shortness. Weight is
>under 30 lbs in fiberglass, less in Kevlar. Price approaches $1000...
>
>I've almost finished building a similarly dimensioned skin-on-frame
>kayak from plans. Info supplied by the designer is here,
>http://rtpnet.org/robroy/hobbycrafts/ Pictures of my boat are
>scattered around here: http://rtpnet.org/robroy/hobbycrafts/Mine/
>-- note that mine is a 12-footer. Width is comparable to the Pokeboat.
>The designer points out that his dimensions are modelled on a Folbot.
>Weight is about 25 lbs, cost well under a hundred dollars. I'd rate the
>construction difficulty as very low. I think the design is Putz-like in
>that the hull and deck are two separate pieces of fabric, both attached
>to the gunwales.
>
>My experience with renting longer, thinner boats is that you dare not
>let go of the paddle. On the one I had, it would weathercock the instant
>you took the paddle out of the water. Later, someone told me I probably
>was sitting a little off-center. Geez, it's a lot pickier than my
>Pokeboat. I also found the length made it less manueverable in amongst
>the reeds and overhanging branches where I like to poke around.
>
>Don't forget to read the brief review of the Putz book here:
>http://rtpnet.org/robroy/baidarka/books.html
>
>Just my two-cents!
>--
>Charles Hall
>Raleigh, NC
>
>
Douglas Ingram
Red River Canoe & Paddle
P.O. Box 78, GRP 4, RR 2
Lorette, Manitoba
Canada
ROA OYO
(204)878-2524
URL: www.wilds.mb.ca/redriver
e-mail: redcanoe@pangea.ca