WREN - Greenland Inspired Kayak

[Kudzu]

Well, I have been round and round trying to decide on which Kayak to build. Nothing seemed to suit my needs AND look like I wanted.  So what do you do? Well you jump in over your head and hope someone is there to keep you from drowning.

I found a kayak design I liked. But I didn't care for the styling. So I asked about software that could give me the offsets of the panels. I was lead to the freeware, HULLS!.  I copied the kayak design as best I could into the software with the intentions of just changing the sheer line of the boat to look more Greenland.

Well, I am too curious and that lead to one thing then another. Before long I was using the software FreeShip too. To just skip to the end, I finally realized that I had so many changes that what I had was no where near the original. The more I did the more I learned the more I didn't want that boat anymore.  I finally just started on a new boat from scratch, with some input from those more experienced!

I ended up with a design, WREN,  I am very happy with (on the computer screen anyway). Even if it turns out to be dog on the water, which I doubt, it's a beautiful boat to my eye. 

http://www.kudzupatch.com/boats/wren/wren.shtml

[Oyster]

I don't know nuttin about Kayak's designs pertaining to how one design works better than the other. But I do like the sweep, if you call it that which gives it a bit more shape. We will watch for your progress.

[Steve Day]

I, too, am impressed with the way she looks. I hope you will have her with you when you come south to paddle with us on the Mobile Bay Delta.

Steve

[Kudzu]

Been working on this for a while now and thought it was time for some progress pictures. Like with any project I have learned a lot and the next one will be better.  I am almost at the rigging point. The hull is basically done.  These photos were made just after the last fill cut. I have since sanded it down and filled a few flaws. Still a bit of sanding left to do on the hull and then it should... no WILL be ready to finish.

I still have to build a coaming, started on that tonight.  Then cut out and build the lips for the hatches. Then time to work on the deck rigging. Oh yea, build a paddle. Does it ever end??

http://www.kudzupatch.com/temp/101_3462.JPG[/img]

[Ken_Potts]

  Looks great!  I bet it will paddle nicely too.

[Steve Day]

Kudzu,

She looks pretty good!

When are you going to bring it down and paddle with us?

Steve

[Kudzu]

Not sure Steve, the Bartram is high on my list! Obviously gas prices have a big influence on traveling but hopefully this fall I can slip down for a few days. Got to buy a new vehicle for business and looking at something like a mini-van. Better gas mileage and more kayak hauling friendly.  ;D Maybe meet up with some of you guys. I keep reading about the trips on the email list.

My niece wants to do a 5 day trip somewhere and Bartram was on our list and I have been looking at the Suwanee River also. Just got to get her off her butt and finish... well really get started on her boat. We have the hull wired up and she disappeared on me.

[Kudzu]

First time to build something without a square edge on it. (Except on the lathe). I am pretty dog gone happy with the way it it turned out. Just need to glass it now.

[Steve Day]

That boat is looking really good!

It won't be long now until you are paddling around.

Have fun with it,

Steve

[Kudzu]

For the three people still interested :-)

It is all down hill from now on! I have gotten to the point I can see the end of this project! I can officially say I am down to the finishing and fitting out!

I have some more sanding to do and then it's time to spray some paint and varnish then fit her out with deck lines, seat ect.

Filleting the coaming in place.

Putting in the lips for the hatches were part of the final details. 

Here it is with hatches in place and as far as I know ready for final sanding and then time to apply the finish.

A paddle park. The bungee will be right in front of this. You lay your paddle in it, pull the bungee over the horn and the paddle is parked.

Looking at this photo I think I can improve on the looks. Next time I will make is lower profile, but this will work.

I am hoping to finish up by next weekend. Of course I expected to finish it 4 or 5 weeks ago too. So that may not mean much. But this project is finally winding down!

[Kudzu]

Varnish is finished. Started doing some rigging on the decks. Rolled it over and sanded some more on the hull. Finally gave up and realized it will never be close to perfect and started spraying the bottom. Expect to finish it up Saturday. If not early next week.

[Kudzu]

I apologize since this is not a Weekender.

But I have finished it up and Launched her today.  Wren is my design and my first design. All in all I am well pleased!

Drop down skeg control line

[Charlie Jones]

Very nice boat . Nicely designed too. I bet she slides through the water like a knife.

Reminds me- I HAVE to build a paddle park on my fishing yak.

But I'm curious- why would you apologize? This isn't a Weekender board- As Frank has said many times -it's a boat builders board. So you're boat project fits right in ;D

[Frank Hagan]

That's a great looking kayak, Kudzu!  You have to be proud to launch a boat you not only built yourself, but also designed!  (And unlike one I would design, I don't see any evidence of duct tape anywhere!)

One thing I've noticed about the home built kayaks is that they are much lighter for the size than the commercial blow molded ones, and usually slip through the water and track better.  You'll have to give us a report of how well she paddles.

[Hirilonde]

Very nice indeed!  I'm not sure I would use one that much, but seeing the kayaks posted in this forum sure makes me want to build one.

[Kudzu]

I have only gotten to paddle it for about 20 minutes. I haven't decided on a seat yet so I just had a old typewriter pad to sit on. No back except the coaming and add thunder heard off in the distance. So I kept it short. I had not sealed the holes in the deck so they leaked on me. Otherwise. Not a thing to complain about.  ;D

She tracked well. Responded to edged turns well. I could do a 180 degree turn in 35 feet or so. I am sure with experience I can improve that. Good secondary stability. I couldn't expect anymore for my first design!!