7 replies to this topic

[Kudzu]

This was a very early Curlew that has been hanging in the rafters of the shop. This was before I had a plotter and I laid out my frames by hand. I made a mistake in one frame and I never saw it. I was paddling it and got caught in a big wind one day. I spent the next hour paddling canoe style, with the boat rolled over on one side trying to make it go across the wind toward the take out.

After a close examination I found that the keel was not straight, it had a bow in it. Funny thing was it paddled great till the wind picked up and then the flaw really showed itself.

I have to many boats sitting around not being used so I have decided to sell a couple. I wanted to fix this Curlew and keep it. I never like the fabric on this one so I figured I would fix the frame and reskin it and keep it.



The frame was stripped, cleaned and few frames were replaced to bring it up to latest design. I was surprised at how many improvements I had made to the design since I built this one. Since it will be a demo boat I wanted it like the current design.



I reskinned it in 8 oz polyester and made a new walnut coaming for it.



I just finished up skinning it. Going to eat some lunch and then start to waterproof the hull. I will start with a couple of coats of white as a base. I have something special in mind after that.

[Keith]

May I ask how much bow was in the keel. Also how old is the Curlew and did you find any other surprises when you un-skinned the boat?

[Kudzu]

No surprises other than some dead bugs in the end of the boat. This was my second boat so it's close to 4 years.

I laid this boat out by hand and looks like when I did the keel slot I marked the center and then drew the slot as if the center line was one side. The offset was about a 1/2" to one side.

[Kudzu]

I LOVE IT!!

I giggle every time I walk in and look at it. Makes me feel like a kid again! I need to put in the backband and it's ready to go back to the water. I sent a buddy of mine a photo and told me to expect a stamped when people see it.

And no,it's not named Nemo even though I am sure that it what everyone will refer to it as.

[P Douglass (WA)]

I know this is a few months old, but I just wanted to say, that is a great looking boat.

Couple question on the Curlew, wold there be any advantage to put a couple hatches on it, say one in front and one in back? Two, I notice in the background of some pictures here, what looks like a foam seat. There is no mention of a seat in your book that I can find (you do write about the back rest). What do most people do about a seat or do they juat sit on the flooring?

Man, if I can build one that looks anywhere near as nice as this one, I will be happy.

[Kudzu]

Couple question on the Curlew, wold there be any advantage to put a couple hatches on it, say one in front and one in back? Two, I notice in the background of some pictures here, what looks like a foam seat. There is no mention of a seat in your book that I can find (you do write about the back rest). What do most people do about a seat or do they juat sit on the flooring?

Man, if I can build one that looks anywhere near as nice as this one, I will be happy.

Well, I should have touched on seats. That was an oversight. Didn't realize this till you mentioned it. Not making excuses but writing a book is a HUGE undertaking and I bet there is always something (at least on a how to) that the author wishes he had done or included. Even so I am ready to another, just need to figure out what to write about.

As for seats many people use the Happy Bottom seat sold buy a couple of vendors. Some hard butts sit on the floor but I am to old for that! I prefer the seat sold by Joe at Redfish kayaks. There not cheap but they are the most comfortable I have sat in. He sales a blank with the tactor seat formed in it. You cut it to fit your boat. He will trim for I think it is $10 and trust me, it's worth having him do it! He has some of my boats on file, if he doesn't I will send him a template. I don't think he has a Curlew but I can email it to him.

Man, if I can build one that looks anywhere near as nice as this one, I will be happy.

You can, check out the boats on photos section of my website. I am always impressed with the boats my clients have built.

[yggmeanhorse]

Hi,
I got the blank seat from Redfish kayaks for my Firefly. After sitting in it for almost 3 days strait and 340 miles I can tell you it is a good seat.
*Jay*

[woodman]

Jeff, I see an extra frame in their..in the cockpit.. a 1/2 frame..I noticed it is not included in the book.. This must be one of the older versions?