Model Opinions

[GRJames]

Hi All,

I have been reading a lot about kayaks over the last several months. I started to buy one but it was $900. That is a bit much. I stumbled upon sof kayaks and like many was skeptical. After a couple of weeks reading I have decided to build one. I have also settled on the Kudzu line because I see a fair amount of activity around them.

I have narrowed my possible choices to Ravenswood, Short Shot and Vardo. That is too many so I decided to get your opinions. I know I have to make the decision but a little insight can't hurt.

I am 6'1" about 195 pounds. I will use the boat predominately on flat inland lakes, rivers and marshes. I want to do light fishing from it. One pole small tackle box. Occasional overnight camping trip. I may build a second boat for my teenage son. He can haul all the camping gear.

[Kudzu]

I am going to add a few points for you to consider and I hope everyone will chime in too!

 

ShortShot will be the heaviest of those (2-3 lbs heavier). There's more wood in it. Slightly harder/longer time to build. More speed/less resistance for the same effort. One my my favorites. I am finishing up one for myself right now.

 

Ravenswod is the shortest and slightly lighter than the others. Little lower volume interior so it fits good. It will be a little slower than Short Shot but you will probably not notice the difference. It was based on the Curlew hull which is one of my favorites to paddle.

 

VARDO is the highest volume inside, most roomy. That attracts new paddlers but it can be a drawback too. As you grow your skills, the lower volume is an asset. Most stable and would be the slowest (very slight difference).

 

Short Shot and Ravenswood will probably feel a little unstable at first compared to VARDO but you will adjust quickly and get lower resistance in return. I fish from my Curlew sometimes, no problem.

 

For me it would be between Short Shot and Ravenswood and I would lean every so slightly toward Ravenswood because of it's lower weight I think. Any of them will be fine for light camping duty.

[Kudzu]

Come on guys and chime in and help GRJames out with your input!!

[GRJames]

Jeff,

Thanks for your comments. I pretty much had ruled out Vardo already. I have been in a kayak twice before. They were twitchy at first as you said. Things got better after a short time. I am not worried about feeling unstable for a bit.

The weight difference between the Short Shot and Ravenswood is not much to worry about. At this point it is pretty much down to looks. I believe either of these 2 boats will be great for my purposes. I live in Southwest Louisiana and hope to fish Lacassine Wildlife Management Area. Which boat will hold up best to an alligator attach.

Just kidding. Thanks for the input. I feel confident I am heading in the right direction.

[Action Tiger]

Build a Firefly and paint the bow with teeth in it. Take that, gator.

Also, use 11oz cloth for gators.

Boy I wish I could get at those southern panfish, man.

I'm pretty sure all these boats were tested before they got turned into plans, so you'd probably be hard pressed to get stuck with a turd.

For fishing lakes I'd probably go with the shorter boat, only because it would be (a little) easier to deal with on land, and no big detriment when fishing. If you were in a hurry, you'd get a bass boat, right?

[nub]

I just built and paddled my VARDO, and here are some of my Impressions.  ( I am 6', 180#, size 12 shoe, posted a photo on the Forum last week).  The building process is straightforward and fun.  This kayak is roomy, comfortable and lightweight (30#).  The length makes it track well but turn slowly, and is more cumbersome to transport and store than are my shorter boats.  Initial stability is a mildly twitchy, but paddling the kayak feels secure and it is reasonably fast.    Overall I am very pleased with my VARDO.

[GRJames]

I am going to add a few points for you to consider and I hope everyone will chime in too!

 

ShortShot will be the heaviest of those (2-3 lbs heavier). There's more wood in it. Slightly harder/longer time to build. More speed/less resistance for the same effort. One my my favorites. I am finishing up one for myself right now.

 

Ravenswod is the shortest and slightly lighter than the others. Little lower volume interior so it fits good. It will be a little slower than Short Shot but you will probably not notice the difference. It was based on the Curlew hull which is one of my favorites to paddle.

What about Curlew makes it one of your favorites to paddle?

Does Short Shot have more overall stability due to the multi-chine hull?

Thanks for the help.

[Hirilonde]

Overall stability would mean to me under all circumstances.  And if I am interested in all circumstances I am more interested in the ones where it is getting harder to stay upright.  Some flattish bottom designs are very stable climbing into, but a beam or quartering wave sends you wallowing.  Flat bottoms also increase wetted surface which increases drag.   The rounder the hull the less stable getting in and out of and the less wave action effects rolling or wallowing.  Getting rounder decreases wetted surface.   Getting in and out is a short learning curve.  Both the Curlew and the Ravenswood have about as good a hull shape as can be made with hard chines.  An avid kayaker (I am not one) will eventually want a rounder hull.

 

I try to not tell people what to do.  So I arrange considerations I think are important instead.

[Kudzu]

What about Curlew makes it one of your favorites to paddle?

 

Humm. Good question.  That is hard to answerm it i just a good paddling boat. Good manners and just behaves well

 

Does Short Shot have more overall stability due to the multi-chine hull?

 

No, overall they are about the same. But they feel different because of the hull shape.  Not better, just different.