Practical outboard motor driven light weight kayak

[Hobartian]

While browsing the net I found this web page about Lean N Steer Powered Kayaks.

http://leannsteerkayaks.com/specifications-f.html

As I am sixty eight years old my inclination to paddle kayaks long distances seems to be diminishing day by day and hence I can imagine having some fun in this particular kayak without wreaking havoc on my body..

Unfortunately, as I live in Australia it would not be practical for me to import this kayak particularly with the relatively high starting price. However, if I could build one myself using your Skin on Frame technique it may be affordable for me. Do you think your construction technique would handle the additional stresses created by a two hp motor?

In the mean time I am considering building one of your designs and I note your love of the Long Shot. Most of my paddling is in the Derwent River which is very wide and subject to a stiff chop when strong winds are present. I presume you have paddled the Long Shot in these type of conditions and wondered how it coped.

[Kudzu]

Do you think your construction technique would handle the additional stresses created by a two hp motor?

Short answer, NO. I am sure it is possible but my boats were not designed from the stress a motor would impart.

In the mean time I am considering building one of your designs and I note your love of the Long Shot. Most of my paddling is in the Derwent River which is very wide and subject to a stiff chop when strong winds are present. I presume you have paddled the Long Shot in these type of conditions and wondered how it coped.

I paddle on a lake that is part of a very large river system and sounds like we have have similar conditions. My personal Long Shot was an early design that has issues that were resolved in the current plans. I never got around to building a new improved model for myself. But Firefly is based off the Long Shot hull so the handling is going to be extremely similar. I have paddled a Firefly in some stiff winds with white capping waves and I could go any direction I wanted with it without and problem. I was impressed with it.

[River Bend]

Hobartian, I recently was given a 12 ft boat, approx. 3 1/2 ft. at the beam skin on frame boat. It has been sitting in an old warehouse for about 60 years. The boat originally had a steering wheel and cable steering system with a small outboard. By looking at the boat, I would say that it probably could not have handled any thing over a 3hp motor. The transom is constructed of 3/4" marine ply. The stringers are made of approx. 5/8 by 5/8" redwood. The chines and gunwales are approx. 1 1/2"x 5/8" redwood. The frames are constructed of aluminum. The canvas is almost totally deteriorated. I would love to know who manufactured the original boat or kit. I have decided to totally restore the boat. It will be a head turner just because I've never seen anything like it around the midwest where I live. But at least you know someone has constructed something similar to what you are looking for.