Jim McLaren

Yes it is. With the sails mighty far forward it looks to me.

I've only been paddling a year so my experience is limited but I would agree with Brad. If you lean the boat away from your turn it should turn much easier. The problem with that is if your boat doesn't have good secondary stability (or you can't feel it) it's hard to find the right point to lean to. I don't know how the Diva is in that regard. I would think with those hard chines the secondary stability would be very noticeable. I've never felt the need for a rudder until a recent paddle. I borrowed a Current Designs with a rudder while traveling on a meandering river. It was great having that rudder with all the twisting we did. I've never felt the need for one in open water. Even so, I would probably make provisions for a rudder on a Diva if/when I build one. Contrary to my previous opinion. We live and learn.

I had hoped to see a reply from Graham. I am thinking of buying the plans and like the alternate arrangement.

For a while I've been wondering about the feasibility of changing the motor well, sort of like John Welsford does on his Penguin (and some other boats). I've been thinking about the alternative plan Graham posted on this site last year which has a shorter cockpit. In it Graham says he probably would eliminate the motor well. If you moved the motor well off to the side and swung the motor up through the transom you might save some space in the cockpit. I don't know if structurally this would be a good idea and you would not be able to close the well off the way Travis does.

Ray, with only 1898 posts you expect more than one star? Good job on this Frank. I've noticed some of the posts still have their pics and others don't. If you can restore them, that would be great. If not, oh well Perhaps we can help you some Frank. I noticed in the articles forum the links to the original posts are broken. Maybe the forumites can locate the originals again and tell you where they are. For example, Grahams post on making a dodger can be found at http://www.messing-about.com/forums/index.php?topic=3355.0. Sadly, no pics.

It's the period. Always put a space, not a period after a hyperlink. Been there, done that Greg, if you edit your post to put a space between the link and the period, it will work.

Rob, I don't know where you are in SC but here in the midlands, Adventure Carolina (in Cayce) has some pretty good programs. They do their touring training on Lake Murray. I am sure you can find something similar near you. Jim

Bring up the topic of rudders on kayaks and you open a can of worms. Everyone has an opinion on that. So here's mine. You don't need a rudder, especially on a single. A rudder can help you track straight however it does not help you turn much. I think it would just be added complication on a Diva. I would advise taking a day of training with a local outfitter or a local club. Rent a kayak and see if you want a rudder. My wife & I are going through that very process. We're going out in some singles and will soon rent a double. Once we've decided which we like best then I will build to suit that desire.

I've got some for a mutineer 15. They came from the mutineer yahoo group. They were designed to be made from aluminum but I made one out of mahogany. I could post them and a picture of the wooden one I made in the gallery here if you want.

Ken, I sent you a PM with my email address for the EC. I can post about any time.

I know B&B can supply us with fiberglass, epoxy & wood. What else would they have available? If I ever get around to building a princess 22 I will certainly order my supplies from them.

Thanks Ray. Ginny doesn't mind a the boat heeling some. I think 20 degrees is OK. It's when we get that sudden gust that takes us about 10-15 degrees further that bothers her. Like you say, the Mutineer requires fast reactions at times. We're looking for something a little more docile. I like sailing the Mutineer, just not all the time. And something a little drier would be nice. And Ginny wants a cabin that four of us can get into. The Princess fits all of these criteria (and oh so many more). Joe, look in the Beer 05 album for some pics with the staysail.

In all the pictures of the Princess 22 I've never notice much heeling at all. None of the pictures on the building CD showed the boat heeling much. I looked on Travis' site (lots of good stuff there) and didn't see Pilgrim heeling much there. Is this generally the case or have I just not seen any pictures with the Princess really heeling? If the Princess Sharpie heels a little as it appears, that will really appeal to my wife. We sail a Mutineer 15 here on Lake Murray. A good gust of wind can push us over pretty hard. (We've never capsized but its probably just a matter of time.) She is OK when I have the tiller but gets really nervous if we start to heel too far and she is at the helm.

Another B & B boat on ebay here: http://tinyurl.com/ywrsmq Includes Trailer too.

Greg, Don't even think about removing anything from that post. It is valuable information. I plan on building a workshed this spring. Perhaps I will be able to use the info you posted. Of course here in South Carolina we have a little more agreeable weather between now & May. I won't have the time pressures you had building your shed. Our curse is the summertime 100 degree heat. BTW, good site for building plans you posted in that thread. I am in the middle of building a gazebo and bought some plans from there. I didn't end up using the plans but some I got off of Black & Decker's project page. But it did give me some ideas. They were pretty good plans. Jim