Kudzu Posted August 5, 2011 Posted August 5, 2011 This was a very early Curlew that has been hanging in the rafters of the shop. This was before I had a plotter and I laid out my frames by hand. I made a mistake in one frame and I never saw it. I was paddling it and got caught in a big wind one day. I spent the next hour paddling canoe style, with the boat rolled over on one side trying to make it go across the wind toward the take out. After a close examination I found that the keel was not straight, it had a bow in it. Funny thing was it paddled great till the wind picked up and then the flaw really showed itself. I have to many boats sitting around not being used so I have decided to sell a couple. I wanted to fix this Curlew and keep it. I never like the fabric on this one so I figured I would fix the frame and reskin it and keep it. The frame was stripped, cleaned and few frames were replaced to bring it up to latest design. I was surprised at how many improvements I had made to the design since I built this one. Since it will be a demo boat I wanted it like the current design. I reskinned it in 8 oz polyester and made a new walnut coaming for it. I just finished up skinning it. Going to eat some lunch and then start to waterproof the hull. I will start with a couple of coats of white as a base. I have something special in mind after that. Quote
huckstump Posted August 9, 2011 Posted August 9, 2011 May I ask how much bow was in the keel. Also how old is the Curlew and did you find any other surprises when you un-skinned the boat? Quote
Kudzu Posted August 9, 2011 Author Posted August 9, 2011 No surprises other than some dead bugs in the end of the boat. This was my second boat so it's close to 4 years. I laid this boat out by hand and looks like when I did the keel slot I marked the center and then drew the slot as if the center line was one side. The offset was about a 1/2" to one side. Quote
Kudzu Posted August 12, 2011 Author Posted August 12, 2011 I LOVE IT!! I giggle every time I walk in and look at it. Makes me feel like a kid again! I need to put in the backband and it's ready to go back to the water. I sent a buddy of mine a photo and told me to expect a stamped when people see it. And no,it's not named Nemo even though I am sure that it what everyone will refer to it as. Quote
P Doug (WA) Posted October 25, 2011 Posted October 25, 2011 I know this is a few months old, but I just wanted to say, that is a great looking boat. Couple question on the Curlew, wold there be any advantage to put a couple hatches on it, say one in front and one in back? Two, I notice in the background of some pictures here, what looks like a foam seat. There is no mention of a seat in your book that I can find (you do write about the back rest). What do most people do about a seat or do they juat sit on the flooring? Man, if I can build one that looks anywhere near as nice as this one, I will be happy. Quote
Kudzu Posted October 25, 2011 Author Posted October 25, 2011 Couple question on the Curlew, wold there be any advantage to put a couple hatches on it, say one in front and one in back? Two, I notice in the background of some pictures here, what looks like a foam seat. There is no mention of a seat in your book that I can find (you do write about the back rest). What do most people do about a seat or do they juat sit on the flooring? Man, if I can build one that looks anywhere near as nice as this one, I will be happy. Well, I should have touched on seats. That was an oversight. Didn't realize this till you mentioned it. Not making excuses but writing a book is a HUGE undertaking and I bet there is always something (at least on a how to) that the author wishes he had done or included. Even so I am ready to another, just need to figure out what to write about. As for seats many people use the Happy Bottom seat sold buy a couple of vendors. Some hard butts sit on the floor but I am to old for that! I prefer the seat sold by Joe at Redfish kayaks. There not cheap but they are the most comfortable I have sat in. He sales a blank with the tactor seat formed in it. You cut it to fit your boat. He will trim for I think it is $10 and trust me, it's worth having him do it! He has some of my boats on file, if he doesn't I will send him a template. I don't think he has a Curlew but I can email it to him. Man, if I can build one that looks anywhere near as nice as this one, I will be happy. You can, check out the boats on photos section of my website. I am always impressed with the boats my clients have built. Quote
yggmeanhorse Posted October 26, 2011 Posted October 26, 2011 Hi, I got the blank seat from Redfish kayaks for my Firefly. After sitting in it for almost 3 days strait and 340 miles I can tell you it is a good seat. *Jay* Quote
woodman Posted November 15, 2011 Posted November 15, 2011 Jeff, I see an extra frame in their..in the cockpit.. a 1/2 frame..I noticed it is not included in the book.. This must be one of the older versions? Quote
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