jaguiler Posted June 11, 2014 Posted June 11, 2014 Hello, I am about to purchase plans for the Ravenswood or the Curlew - I am about 200 lb and 5'10" with a size 11 shoe. I do have kayak experience, and K1 experience and coaching (20 years ago). My main question is - once I build one of these boats - will I have trouble getting in them ? What are the main differences between both boats ? What is the size of the coaming / opening for each ? I plan to launch from a dock most of the time, but there may be some beach launches as well in the bay. I am also an avid fisher/flyfisher - if I fish with a small flyfishing pack straped to my life vest - could I flyfish ? Although fishing is not my main purpose for this boat. I did see the Cast Away - but I am more interested in a longer boat witha narrow beam, such as these two. Thank you Quote
labrat Posted June 12, 2014 Posted June 12, 2014 Bait or lure fishing from Curlew is no problem but I don't know about flyfishing. If you can sit on a river bank with your legs straight in front of you and cast then it could be ok. Quote
Kudzu Posted June 12, 2014 Posted June 12, 2014 Ravenswood is based off of Curlew. The main differences are styling. There should be no real difference in the way they paddle. Ravenswood will be a little easier to skin. You should fit in either one just fine. Quote
jaguiler Posted June 12, 2014 Author Posted June 12, 2014 True - I did not actually think about the fly fishing motions, I was thinking about the flypack attached to my PFD. Lure/bass fishing is just fine then.... Will either boat handle small ripples, class 1 rapids ? I want to plan a trip to the Shenandoah in Virginia and I am pretty sure there is a little more than flat water there. - Thanks Jeff - I will order the Ravenswood - I plan to be going to the local man made lakes. What do you think of the Shenandoah River, near the camping areas by Luray ? I have kids who will be in their SOF as well, so we will run the flatest areas for safety. I have not been to the river in 10 years, so I do not recall how it is. Quote
Kudzu Posted June 12, 2014 Posted June 12, 2014 If you going to run white water get a plastic boat. Abraision is the skin boats worst enemy. They are Sea Kayak, not white water. The boat will handle it just fine if the paddler knows what he is doing. But odd are good you will need to reskin afterwards. Quote
Echo Valley Posted June 18, 2014 Posted June 18, 2014 I've got a Curlew and fish from it (act like I'm fishing) weekly. Used my fly rod once, and while the motion is fine, stripping the line is a bit messy, I try to keep it on the half skirt but it usually ends up in the water. Word of advice, set up the line BEFORE you're out on the water. I had to dunk it to get the line through the end. And what Jeff said about abrasion. Scott Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.