rodbuilder

I really love kayaks, but not really great for me now where I live.  There are no lakes or big rivers near me, just small ponds and creaks.  If I still lived nears Smith lake I would be building a kayak first. I am in the process of putting it in freeship and laying out everything.  I will post it when I finish and those that have freeship or cad can critique my design.

I now have a design.  My question after reading both of Jeff's books is stringer locations.  I would like to place 3 stringers on each side plus the gunwales and keel.  I am just trying to figure out the placement for the stringers on the curves so they will lay right.  I would appreciate any help.  I have not found anything on how to locate the stringers.

As far as the back goes it all depends where your back hurts.  I will take a canoe over a kayak any day on flat water as far as comfort.  I have three compressed discs and with a good back rest and leg room (I mean from floor to butt really) it helps mine.  The trick with canoes is learning to paddle efficiently and without leaning, it’s not taught but you would be amazed the difference in leaning and not leaning.  As far as stability, it all comes down to design and load.  A canoe or kayak designed for 250lb with super stability can be very unstable with 175lbs or 400lbs.  Height above CG (center of Gravity) comes into play more when the boats get narrow.  From a look without seeing more details on the design the stonefly looks as though it should be a decently stable boat, with a load.  With little weight it looks like it would be unstable.  It looks to be able to handle a seat off the bottom with a back rest, but I have not studied the plans.