Castaway Report

[Ward]

Minnesota really is the land of 10,000 lakes and the kayaking is great! After 6 weeks of pretty intensive kayaking, I can give ya'll a report on how Jeff's SOF kayaks hold up. I have launched and taken out on sand, rocks and weeds. Castaway has also been dropped while getting put on top of the car. The 36 pound kayak has been carried up steep inclines that would have required 2 people for a heavier kayak. The paint job is looking a bit worn and somehow I have scraped a bit of paint off and there is a small seepage leak at the stern. Nothing that a sponge won't soak up. Maybe a half gallon after 4 hours of paddling, but nowhere near enough to get my tail wet.

Lessens learned.

(1) These really are some tough kayaks. Sorry Jeff, but I have abused Castaway a bit.

(2) When going away for awhile and you are planning on really using the SOF kayak, bring along your hull paint.

(3) Castaway paddled beautifully in 20 mph wind with white caps on the lake, but did take on some water from the waves. Here again a sponge did the job.

(4) Carry Jeff's web site URL with you because a lot of people are curious about the "boat we don't sell around here".

Thanks Jeff. You have designed one tough, smooth paddling little kayak.

[Kudzu]

Love hearing these stories.

These really are some tough kayaks. Sorry Jeff, but I have abused Castaway a bit.

What are you apologizing for? I don't baby mine!

Might I suggest adding a rub strip on on the spots that get the most wear. I put them on the bow so I can beach the boat. That it the only place I find that I have any wear on mine. But if you have a spot on any boat that shows wear you might want to add something to keep from putting a hole in the skin.

[P Doug (WA)]

This is all good to hear. Hope you have some pictures to post.

Tell the people that inquire to visit "Kudzucraft.com" pretty easy for them to remember and be sure to wear your Kudzu Craft T_shirt when out paddling.

[Ward]

I do tell them about kudzucraft.com, but they probably think kudzu is some sort of oriental food. So we wind up explaining about not only the kayak but about kudzu as well. I did order a T shirt, so maybe that will help.

[P Doug (WA)]

I'd like to know how Jeff came up with that silly name in ght first place - Kudzu. I thought it was a intrusive vine that is plagueing the south!

[Ward]

Well, here we go again. Kudzu is a vine brought to this country as animal feed because it is very high in protein. In parts of the South it has gone totally wild and has grown over trees, buildings and abandoned cars. However, some enterprising Southerners have come up with some very good use for parts of the plant. The flowers are used to make a very good jelly which tastes very much like grape jelly and the roots are used as a thickening for gravies, stews and sauces. Dried vines are used to make wreaths which I'm told are sold for obscene prices in places like New York and Rhode Island. Hopefully, Jeff's kayaks will spread like kudzu since they are such neat boats.

[woodman]

be sure to wear your Kudzu Craft T_shirt when out paddling

I wish he had made shirts with a pic. of a kayak....

[Hirilonde]

Dried vines are used to make wreaths which I'm told are sold for obscene prices in places like................. Rhode Island.

Interesting summary, but I have never seen them for sale in RI for any price

[Ward]

Woodman, I would like to see your design on the front of the "Built by me" tee shirt that Jeff sells.

Dan, I was just checking to see if you were paying attention and if the folks in RI still have a sense of humor.

I do love Jeff's boats!

[P Doug (WA)]

Ward, you can always add a decal to you boat. I did on mine with Jeff's permission. Woodman's would look nice also.

[Ward]

You guys are making me smarter by the day. I think that I was too caught up in the building and enjoying process rather than thinking through a kayak identification step. Wonder how a Kudzu Team logo would do deccopauged (sp) on the bow. Hmm.. something to work on this winter. Paul, did you carve the "Curlew" design?

[P Doug (WA)]

They are both decals printed on my laser printer. I put varnish over them after they were applied and dried.

[Kudzu]

On my boats I have had vinyl cut and apply it once the boat is paint. It is a single color or course. I have thought about having these made it bulk and just giving them to anyone that builds a boat and wants one. It took me a while to discover the secret in getting them to stick, but now I know how. I like Pauls, I am just lazy and want something I can stick on and be done. :-)