Arkansas Canoe Club Forums

To our wood working friends out there, I paddled with a guy today who had a 17' CLC plywood kayak for basically his second time on the water and was really impressed with the work of art he made. WOW. Beautiful boat that was also very functional and FAST. WE did about 7 miles after an hour of basics in the cove here at Monte Ne. We installed a foam seat and some sponges to pad his legs and knees and that 17 foot boat really tracks fast, but did not need a rudder.

His name is Warren and I will try to bring him to a meeting sometime (maybe October or November's meeting- I told him about blowlogs and the Halloween party) so he can show you his boat and tell you about how the kit was to make cost and time wise. He said it was very complete. Super nice guy. He's a wood worker by hobby and that is why he made it. He is making a greenland paddle to go with it, but he also paddled with 2 of my carbon sticks today and I think he may now be thinking carbon. I'm addicted to plastic boats and not having to worry about rocks, but if I lost my boat today, I might seriously consider one of these kayaks for the lake.

Susan met him at work and gave him an ACC membership form. He called someone who referred him to Arthur Bowie, who referred him to me. WE had a really fun day today. Thank you Arthur. Trying to talk him into Buffalo trips next in a canoe or one of my seakayaks, Jones Center roll sessions (he's interested in that), and maybe a school next spring.

At most all the kayak races I go to you will see several kit built boats.
They are always very sharp looking and are light weight.
It of course depends on the paddler but they are fast boats , I guess I`m just to lazy to build one.

Years ago, before I had my first 'modern' kayak, a friend loaned me 'Bark&Skin Canoes', a Smithsonian publication from the 1930 or 40s.
It was very interesting, detailing all manner of canoes and kayaks built by the peoples of the North American continent. Besides the photographs of finished boats, there were pictures of the tools, materials, procedures, and measured drawings. Of course, I didn't entertain the idea of using bark or skin in a project but seriously liked the well made frames for all these craft and considered how it might be to build one but use fibre glass or Kevlar to cover with. Regardless of my not going farther, I thoroughly enjoyed the information and history, a good book!


Best Regards
Jim Moose