Introduction and some questions.

[MichiganCur]

Hello all.

My name is Mike,I live in northern lower Michigan, and I am aspiring to build a stonefly. I've built a few boats before, but let's just say everything about them was wrong... So I bought Mr kudzu's book because the first time I saw the stonefly I knew that it was what I wanted. I've looked around and just keep coming back to it, I think it's time to set forth and start building.

OK so that's my introduction, here's the questions. I have two little kids (3 & 4 yr old) my last sot Tupperware they sat in my lap, I'm assuming that they could do the same with the stonefly. But I'm not really sure when to start transitioning them into their own boat... At this point I will already be building two (one for me one for the wife), if I need a third I'll probably have to look at getting some type of trailer. Are there any good plans for cheap trailering options?

I've found some places for local wood, mostly fir pine some birch and oak but wasn't to impressed with the quality. I can get cedar from the local box store, and wonder if I could use that or should I order something else that I can get delivered (I see WRC mentioned a bit) . Trying to keep costs down where possible without sacrificing the quality. I don't have a lot of tools so getting it as close to finished size is also a priority.

I want to put on some rub strips, since we have some shallow lakes and rivers that I plan on traveling with the craft. How much do you cover with the strips? I suppose that I could always do a composite strip if necessary but trying to stay away from chemicals as much as possible.

Float bags, are they needed in the stonefly? I think I saw a post or two about them. If so what is the purpose and where do you put them?

Lastly, registration. I see about a 50/50 split on canoes with registration #s up here, does anyone know at what point they have to be registered in Michigan? I've never registered any of my old Tupperware... Never thought to ask about it.

OK, I know that's a lot so I think I'll start there. Thank you in advance for your help. And thank you Mr kudzu for the beautiful designs and sharing your knowledge.

[Kudzu]

Lots of good questions. I just have a moment and will get back to you latter, if someone else doesn't answer first. Just taking a break and have to get back at it till the sun hits the porch, then I quit.

[Kudzu]

 I have two little kids (3 & 4 yr old) my last sot Tupperware they sat in my lap, I'm assuming that they could do the same with the stonefly.

 

Your should be able too. Never tried it but I don't think it would be a problem. Space isn't an issue.

 

 

 

 Are there any good plans for cheap trailering options?

 

Not hat I am aware of, but I have seen some pretty neat ideas using Harbor Freight trailers. Me, I just bought a used utility trailer, extended the tongue and had someone weld up a rack. I got what I wanted and it wasn't cheap but much less than anything commercially available. I love a trailer!! Bets car topping hands down!

 

 

 

I've found some places for local wood, mostly fir pine some birch and oak but wasn't to impressed with the quality. I can get cedar from the local box store, and wonder if I could use that or should I order something else that I can get delivered (I see WRC mentioned a bit) . 

 

Your read the book so you know what I recommend. But WRC is the only good choice you mentioned. I will skip my normal speech, it is all in the book. 

 

I will stress these boats are already dirt cheap. I don't see how you can save much money building one without making really bad choices.

 

I want to put on some rub strips, since we have some shallow lakes and rivers that I plan on traveling with the craft

 

 

 

You scare me when you say this. Abrasion is a skin boats Kryptonite. I put rub strips on the bow so I can beach the boat without damaging the skin. The quickest way to ruin a skin boat is use in moving shallow water.  You can beat the heck out of them and just scratch the paint. You can run over trees, rocks etc out on the lake and do no damage.

 

But if you start running moving water and hitting the same spots over and over with the water current forcing your around, you will ruin the skin in short order. 

 

 

 

Float bags, are they needed in the stonefly? I think I saw a post or two about them. If so what is the purpose and where do you put them?

 

 

 

You can look and find a previous discussion on float bags. They keep the boat from filling with water, minimizing how much water you have remove if something goes wrong. Even so, i have never designed a set for Stonefly. Canoes just are different than kayaks and you only see white water canoes with float bags. So I never saw any demand for them.

 

astly, registration. I see about a 50/50 split on canoes with registration #s up here, does anyone know at what point they have to be registered in Michigan?

 

 

No clue, but a Google search would give you the answer I am sure.

[MichiganCur]

Are there any good plans for cheap trailering options?

Not hat I am aware of, but I have seen some pretty neat ideas using Harbor Freight trailers. Me, I just bought a used utility trailer, extended the tongue and had someone weld up a rack. I got what I wanted and it wasn't cheap but much less than anything commercially available. I love a trailer!! Bets car topping hands down!

I'll keep looking on that front, a trailer is definitely in the future plans, just trying to keep the initial cost down to keep the wife happier. :-) I'm not sure that she's convinced that I can do this yet.

Your read the book so you know what I recommend. But WRC is the only good choice you mentioned. I will skip my normal speech, it is all in the book.

I will stress these boats are already dirt cheap. I don't see how you can save much money building one without making really bad choices.

That's kinda what I thought, it's been a bit since I read the book, which I got last year. I plan on rereading it soon and before I put any wood together. The only two real things that I've done is made up my mind on what I am building and I think I've got a source for Baltic birch.

You scare me when you say this. Abrasion is a skin boats Kryptonite. I put rub strips on the bow so I can beach the boat without damaging the skin. The quickest way to ruin a skin boat is use in moving shallow water. You can beat the heck out of them and just scratch the paint. You can run over trees, rocks etc out on the lake and do no damage.

But if you start running moving water and hitting the same spots over and over with the water current forcing your around, you will ruin the skin in short order.

I will keep that in mind. The only real issue is many of the put in and out places I have gone to are a bit rocky. I didn't do a lot of scraping to my Tupperware, but I am more conscious about it now that I am thinking about a skin boat. I plan on mostly lakes and easy paddling but there is a lake I like to fish that the only way to get to is a stream... Nothing white water but it gets a bit shallow. I'm pretty sure most of the time I'll be able to get out of the boat and walk (albeit maybe a wet walk) where things get a little close for comfort. I think I saw somewhere that you expected 4" draft at 300 lbs? That should be fine for 90% of my usage... Maybe I'm just being a little bit paranoid

You can look and find a previous discussion on float bags. They keep the boat from filling with water, minimizing how much water you have remove if something goes wrong. Even so, i have never designed a set for Stonefly. Canoes just are different than kayaks and you only see white water canoes with float bags. So I never saw any demand for them.

I'm not sure which post it was I saw someone talking about them in a stonefly but it wasn't very descriptive, I'm still doing a lot of search and reading, I'll add that to my search list and see what pops up.

astly, registration. I see about a 50/50 split on canoes with registration #s up here, does anyone know at what point they have to be registered in Michigan?

No clue, but a Google search would give you the answer I am sure.

Thanks, I drive a lot for work in the area, and just something I happened to notice. I'll walk over to the dmv or call a buddy with the coast Guard before I hit the water. Just trying to make sure that I don't forget anything :-D

Thank you for your answers.