Shad, first choice, first build

[square_nails]

Hello all, I am new to the forum and have been reading up for the last while on all of Kudzu Craft designs. I am just about ready to purchase plans for my first kayak build and have zeroed in on the Shad. I am living on Vancouver Island and plan on doing local day and weekend trips (eventually) around the many Islands out here. I am just curious as to the turning ability of the Shad and how much if any rocker is built into the hull. Hopefully someone that paddles a Shad can shed some light on my choice of kayak for the location and type of water I will be paddling in.

Bruce

[Kudzu]

I was hoping someone else would chime in with their experience. But it is designed with about 1" rocker in the rear and the bow depends on where you measure it. Bow is about 1" and then it starts a long curve upward so there isn't much forefoot on it. 

 

Tracking is sort of personal so all I can do is repeat what I said on the main page. I find it to track very well and turns a little slow. I don't think it is hard to turn, just lean it outside and a paddle stroke and it turns fine for me. I would have preferred it turn a little quicker but I really love the tracking on longer paddles. Less time spent making course corrections. Having had a couple of looser tracking boats I prefer this combination.

 

One thing I want make sure you know. it's pretty low volume so there is not a heck of lot of room to stow gear for camping.

[square_nails]

Thank you for the reply Jeff. Yes I also was hoping that I could get a few more reports from other owner/builders but I do like the looks and tracking will be important to me when crossing the straights to the Islands.

I will primarily be doing day trips for the first few seasons and Will not be carrying too much gear. Maybe a lunch and various refreshments along with snacks and safety gear along with a change of cloths in case I'm wet and cold., so I'm hoping that will all fit inside.

If in the long term I find I need more room well then that can be solved by building another kayak, haha!

[Kudzu]

There have been a few built but I don't remember anyone that is active on the forum building one but maybe a lurker will chime in. 

 

You can fit what you're talking about no problem. I was just thinking camping gear would be really tight.

[square_nails]

OK thanks Jeff. I am moving on the first of next month and will be ordering the plans for Shad once I'm settled into the new place.

[Garth Jones]

I just finished my wife's Shad and I now have about four hours paddling time in the boat.  I'm not an experienced kayaker with time in many different boats, but I have paddled a few.  Compared to the others I have paddled (the closest being Chesapeake Light Craft's Night Heron) the Shad does like to go in a straight line.  For me the boat tracks very well.  Turning efficiently, as Jeff noted, requires a bit of lean.  So far we're really happy withe the boat!

 

Cheers,

Garth

[square_nails]

OK, thanks for that report Garth, I'm looking forward to building the Shad.

Regards, Bruce