31 replies to this topic

[aerolame]

Very nice, about to start on my own Diva. Your posts and insight are greatly appreciated

[hokeyhydro]

Thanks. I'm on Diva #2 and will try a retractable skeg on this one. I believe either a rudder or skeg is nice to have to enhance tracking while going downwind.

[aerolame]

I'm going for the rudder option as we have quite strong winds and I plan some reasonably long trips were it would be nice to have a rudderwhen paddling gets a bit sloppy!

[hokeyhydro]

I used a Sea-Lect TruCourse rudder from Duckworks and also the SeaLect rudder pedals.
http://www.duckworks...48300/index.htm

For Diva #123 I used a rudder goudgen from duckworks, but on Diva #125 I did the end pour deal as per Graham's plan. See link for my non-drill method . . . http://messing-about...408-cast-drill/

Yes, I found the rudder nice when the wind picked up. And real nice downwind when the kayak wanted to tail walk off course.

[aerolame]

Thanks for the link, I was planning to fabricate my own rudder but if I decide to purchase instead that looks like a good option.

[hokeyhydro]

The Sealect rudder is not the lightest available, but reasonably priced and slick. You can adjust the rudder pedals for different leg length without fussing with the cables. I ran the uphaul line under deck to a turn around - small fairlead - and secure it in a clam cleat = easy. With the stainless goudgen I figure maybe 4 lbs total added. Diva #123 came out at 44 lbs with 4 oz fiberglass on the hull and glass on both sides of the strip deck.

[aerolame]

44lbs! ...... thats pretty good.  I hope to get underway in a month or so. I'm sure I will have plenty of questions for the forum.

[ecgossett]

Can you give any comparisons / reviews of this kayak compared to others?

[hokeyhydro]

Can you give any comparisons / reviews of this kayak compared to others?

Love to, but this is the only kayak I have paddled. Today, with mid 70's temp and sun in the sky, my Daughter took it out for the third time, and she has paddled rent-a-kayaks before. She declared the rudder nicely sensitive, just touch the pedal and kayak goes where you want it to. Her plan is to get up with the local paddle club for camp paddles this summer. Plenty of gear storage room under the hatches.

[hokeyhydro]

Glass on hull and underside of strip deck for Diva #125. Several folks have talked about using a roller to spread goo on glass cloth, and I gave it a shot. My usual dump and squeegee method works well on semi-flat surfaces but I had been slopping goo with a brush on vertical surfaces = very messy. So today I broke out my foam roller to do the sides of the kayak. Cool. Roll on goo, let is soak for a spell, hit it with squeegee, touch up up a few dry spots with roller, squeegee, done. Next time I may do the whole deal with a roller - seemed to use less goo and it was faster.

[nz lance]

Very smart looking craft Hokey well done mate. love the clear finish on the deck. And only 44lbs? Thats bloody good going.

[hokeyhydro]

Thanks, nz lance. I expect the second Diva to be a few pounds lighter, but the weight kudo goes to the Designer Graham who claims about 40 lbs for the Diva. I love your build, but everytime I look at the pics I have to mop the drool off my computer keyboard . . .