aerolame Posted January 9, 2013 Report Share Posted January 9, 2013 Very nice, about to start on my own Diva. Your posts and insight are greatly appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hokeyhydro Posted January 9, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2013 Thanks. I'm on Diva #2 and will try a retractable skeg on this one. I believe either a rudder or skeg is nice to have to enhance tracking while going downwind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aerolame Posted January 9, 2013 Report Share Posted January 9, 2013 I'm going for the rudder option as we have quite strong winds and I plan some reasonably long trips were it would be nice to have a rudderwhen paddling gets a bit sloppy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hokeyhydro Posted January 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2013 I used a Sea-Lect TruCourse rudder from Duckworks and also the SeaLect rudder pedals. http://www.duckworksbbs.com/hardware/canoe-kayak/sd748300/index.htm For Diva #123 I used a rudder goudgen from duckworks, but on Diva #125 I did the end pour deal as per Graham's plan. See link for my non-drill method . . . http://messing-about.com/forums/topic/8408-cast-drill/ Yes, I found the rudder nice when the wind picked up. And real nice downwind when the kayak wanted to tail walk off course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aerolame Posted January 11, 2013 Report Share Posted January 11, 2013 Thanks for the link, I was planning to fabricate my own rudder but if I decide to purchase instead that looks like a good option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hokeyhydro Posted January 11, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2013 The Sealect rudder is not the lightest available, but reasonably priced and slick. You can adjust the rudder pedals for different leg length without fussing with the cables. I ran the uphaul line under deck to a turn around - small fairlead - and secure it in a clam cleat = easy. With the stainless goudgen I figure maybe 4 lbs total added. Diva #123 came out at 44 lbs with 4 oz fiberglass on the hull and glass on both sides of the strip deck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aerolame Posted January 13, 2013 Report Share Posted January 13, 2013 44lbs! ...... thats pretty good. I hope to get underway in a month or so. I'm sure I will have plenty of questions for the forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ecgossett Posted January 14, 2013 Report Share Posted January 14, 2013 Can you give any comparisons / reviews of this kayak compared to others? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hokeyhydro Posted January 14, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2013 Can you give any comparisons / reviews of this kayak compared to others? Love to, but this is the only kayak I have paddled. Today, with mid 70's temp and sun in the sky, my Daughter took it out for the third time, and she has paddled rent-a-kayaks before. She declared the rudder nicely sensitive, just touch the pedal and kayak goes where you want it to. Her plan is to get up with the local paddle club for camp paddles this summer. Plenty of gear storage room under the hatches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hokeyhydro Posted January 15, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2013 Glass on hull and underside of strip deck for Diva #125. Several folks have talked about using a roller to spread goo on glass cloth, and I gave it a shot. My usual dump and squeegee method works well on semi-flat surfaces but I had been slopping goo with a brush on vertical surfaces = very messy. So today I broke out my foam roller to do the sides of the kayak. Cool. Roll on goo, let is soak for a spell, hit it with squeegee, touch up up a few dry spots with roller, squeegee, done. Next time I may do the whole deal with a roller - seemed to use less goo and it was faster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nzlance Posted January 25, 2013 Report Share Posted January 25, 2013 Very smart looking craft Hokey well done mate. love the clear finish on the deck. And only 44lbs? Thats bloody good going. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hokeyhydro Posted January 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2013 Thanks, nz lance. I expect the second Diva to be a few pounds lighter, but the weight kudo goes to the Designer Graham who claims about 40 lbs for the Diva. I love your build, but everytime I look at the pics I have to mop the drool off my computer keyboard . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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