Birders # 73 and 74 are ready for paint

[Charlie Jones]

Finished the construction today. Was aiming to build them in under 4 weeks, complete. Had to wait 12 days for the Parcel Post to bring boat nails. I think they used the pony express. Haven't the heard all of those ponys are dead? So it took 4 weeks and 2 days.

At any rate, here they are. Laura's (#73) weighs in at 32 pounds. Mine is 34 pounds. Both glassed on the exterior- mine with 10 oz bottom and 4 oz sides. Laura's has 6 oz bottom and 4 oz sides.

Paint and varnish to happen as soon as possible, but they may have to sit a while now- other jobs are cranking up;

[P Doug (WA)]

Well those certainly look like they were done by a pro. If mine comes out half that nice I will be a happy camper. Very nice, Charlie.

[Guest stumpbumper]

They look great, Charlie. I am considering ordering plans for a Birder, but am concerned about capacity. I'm a 6' 2", 240 pounder. Do you think a Birder I could handle a guy like me?

Lynn

[Charlie Jones]

Lynn- you'd probably fit, but if it were me I'd go to a Birder 2 and rig it as a single. Gets you some extra capacity without a huge increase in size. I'm 5'8 and 165 so I kinda rattle around in there. BUT I haven't put my ice chest, tackle box, anchor, etc, etc in as yet either

[Frank Hagan]

Wow, both under 35 pounds. That makes them easy to get to the water (our old double blow-molded kayak weighed over 80 pounds, but it was a double!)

[John Burritt]

Lynn - Check with Graham when he gets home about the birder. He just expanded the plans to accomodate another "robust" individual.

[Tom Lathrop]

Charlie,

Both of our Birder's came in at 34 1/2 pounds finished. I put in a large plastic port in the forward bulkhead that weighed 1 1/2 pounds and I used 4mm ocume and no outer glass sheath. What ply did yoou use?

I also build two of Graham's knock apart seats and they work fine. Not included in the weight since they can be carried independly.

[Charlie Jones]

4 mm okume.

I've got two seats built also. They are in the process of being sanded and readied for varnish now. My step son laid them out and built them- he's learning to read and follow plans and also has been helping with the boats. I don't know that I'm doing him any favors teaching him boat work

Look like really comfortable seating although I suspect I'll be shortening mine a hair so I sit a bit lower. Should be fine for Laura though.

I'm going to try it out first before I lower it though- it may be just fine as is.

Took my unfinished ( unvarnished, unpainted that is) boat out for a paddle on Sunday morning. Took a rod along but never made a cast. Just had a ball exploring the sloughs and creeks close to the saltwater lake near the house.

I'm gonna LOVE this boat

Plan to add some rod holders through the rear deck forward of the bulkhead- flush mount ones. Plus some sort of anchoring system. Already found I'm going to HAVE to either put carpet in the sole or some rubber matting- dropped a lead head and oh boy is that loud!!! Gonna use the boat for a while though before I add much more- find out where I really want things.

Also working on a couple paddles to Graham's plans, only with Birdsmouth western red cedar shafts, probably tapered a bit too. We have some old Folbot paddles we can use for the time being but they are way too heavy.

[inboil]

b-2 weighs about 43 pounds--seemed like more. Also had to take it out without paint and very conservatively so as not to worry my lady/mate. Perfect first run.

Finally something to pattern-- paddle-- might make 20 .

There seems to be no attachment of seat to boat, or did I overlook something?

[BillB]

I built my Mocassin 4 years ago, and it is used but well cared for. Most recently a Canadian fishing/Canoe trip really put it to the test. I can't say enough about the boats performance, even loaded it could out pace the recreational kayak also on the trip.

I'm think the hulls are a nice marrige of styles. I never got wet from chop or waves unless the wind blew it off my paddle.

Bill

[Charlie Jones]

The seat simply straddles the two longitudinal cleats. Not fastened in so you can move it to adjust trim as needed- or move to suit a different paddler. Also so it comes out when traveling- it totally knocks down almost flat.

We built seats, then spaced cleats so the seat sides had to be just SLIGHTLY sprung to fit over them