8 replies to this topic

[FloatingBear]

Jeff I am thinking about what to build for my wife who is a little lacking in confidence and has never paddeled a kayak. What is the width of a Mess About and what is the stability factor of the FreeB 14? I did not see these numbers on the webb site.

Oops make that three. Do you have any idea of the stability factor on a Dagger Axis 10.5? That is what I currently paddle which has a width of 28". My daughter has already been in the Dagger and loved it.

[Kudzu]

Both are very stable boats. Mess About is the same as the Cast Away and I have always been impressed with the way it paddles. It leans fairly easy so lean turns are very easy and it responds surprisingly well to slight leans. It has a strong secondary which is great for fishing since your sometimes paying more attention to fish.fishing than paddling, but it is also great for a new paddler. It will keep them out of trouble.

I know nothing about most commercial boats, but it if 10.5 is the length the Mess About will smoke it in a race. :-)Boats that short are S L O W ! ! ! Just trust me on that.

[FloatingBear]

My Axis is an intermediate boat that can be used for white water but has a deployable skeg so it will track well for casual flat water paddeling. Increased speed and tracking are why I want somehting like a Poco or a Vardo. But I need something exceptionally stabel for beginners with little confidance.

So what would you rate the FreeB 14 at on stability?

[Kudzu]

I don't remember and don't have that in front of me but I know it is high enough anyone should be able to paddle it.

[FloatingBear]

Jeff I have more questions.

#1 I am 6'1" 295 wear a size 13 and I'm built like a caveman. Would the Vardo or Poco Barta have enough internal volume for me to be comfortable with my big feet? Or would I need to raise the front and rear deck height by 1 to 1.5 inches?

#2 My daughter is 5'3" and 120lbs and my wife is 5'7" and 125lbs. Do they weigh enough to displace a Ravenswood enough to make it stable and comfortable for them to paddle?

[Kudzu]

You would fit VARDO no problem. It's is a higher volume boat and everyone that has built it loves it. I think Poco Barta might be a bit snug for you. Problem is fit is a personal choice but you are probably pushing it on Poco Barta.

The ladies may not push Ravenswood low enough for it to track well. I will need to pull up the file and look at it and see. But worst case is you would need to add a small skeg to make it track better, IF they had a problem.

[FloatingBear]

Ok Thanks Jeff.

[Kudzu]

Looks like they are borderline on Ravenswood. In flat conditions I think it would track fine. Once you have some waves to deal with the stern might lift out of the water causing the boat to want to turn to one side. If so, a fixed skeg would fix that.

[FloatingBear]

OK Thanks.