Hi All,
I am strongly considering building a Mess About kayak BUT wonder what are the real benefits or "Pro's & Con's" of 12 ft vs 15 ft ?? any insight into this conundrum will be appreciated.
Thanks,
Dave
5 replies to this topic
#2
HonestKen
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Posted 15 September 2012 - 03:57 PM
Dave,
As they say; the only dumb questions are the ones you don't ask!
What type of paddling do you anticipate doing? River/creek or larger open water, how big are you? how much gear do you want to carry? how fast do you want to go?
Jeff (aka Kudzu) might be able to give some insight.
Try this forum as well, lots of kayak builders and designers there. http://kayakforum.co...lding/index.cgi
Ken
As they say; the only dumb questions are the ones you don't ask!
What type of paddling do you anticipate doing? River/creek or larger open water, how big are you? how much gear do you want to carry? how fast do you want to go?
Jeff (aka Kudzu) might be able to give some insight.
Try this forum as well, lots of kayak builders and designers there. http://kayakforum.co...lding/index.cgi
Ken
“I remember how my great-uncle Jerry would sit on the porch and whittle all day long. Once he whittled me a toy boat out of a larger toy boat I had. It was almost as good as the first one, except now it had bumpy whittle marks all over it. And no paint, because he had whittled off the paint.”
#3
mudgkin1
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Posted 15 September 2012 - 04:53 PM
Hi Ken,
Answers in order,
Purely lazy fun, I'm 72
Protected (somewhat ) ocean
5 ft 8
Lunch bag and a couple of cool ones
Fast is not a consideration, see # 2 LOL
Answers in order,
Purely lazy fun, I'm 72
Protected (somewhat ) ocean
5 ft 8
Lunch bag and a couple of cool ones
Fast is not a consideration, see # 2 LOL
#4
Hirilonde
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Posted 15 September 2012 - 05:35 PM
Fast is not a consideration, see # 2 LOL
Another way to look at fast is "moves well with minimal effort". A good cruising design will keep a fair pace for little work. 12' will take real effort to keep moving well. 15', assuming it is a good design will be much easier. I suggest visiting the Kudzu section of the forum to follow up on this, I even recommend a Kudzu design to meet your needs.
Dave Finnegan
http://charlestownboatworks.com
1967 Pearson Renegade "Hirilondë"
Spindrift 9N #521 - many KudzuCraft SoF kayaks
#5
HonestKen
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Posted 15 September 2012 - 09:47 PM
Dave,
The other Dave is right. Longer will paddle more effortlessly, and track better (which means go straighter), in most cases. My favorite kayak is a 19 footer I built 10 years ago. It's fast(efficient) and stable. I'm also a lazy paddler, I just appreciate being in the outdoors, experiencing nature. There is usually no need to rush. That's what I tell my paddling buddies anyway.
Although a smaller, lighter kayak would be easier to load and unload.
Ken
The other Dave is right. Longer will paddle more effortlessly, and track better (which means go straighter), in most cases. My favorite kayak is a 19 footer I built 10 years ago. It's fast(efficient) and stable. I'm also a lazy paddler, I just appreciate being in the outdoors, experiencing nature. There is usually no need to rush. That's what I tell my paddling buddies anyway.
Although a smaller, lighter kayak would be easier to load and unload.
Ken
“I remember how my great-uncle Jerry would sit on the porch and whittle all day long. Once he whittled me a toy boat out of a larger toy boat I had. It was almost as good as the first one, except now it had bumpy whittle marks all over it. And no paint, because he had whittled off the paint.”
#6
mudgkin1
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Posted 16 September 2012 - 07:39 AM
Thanks fellows , suspicions confirmed , A 15 Ft Jeff (Kudzu) Mess About is the one for me.
