Be careful what you say. My original plan was a pair of his and her Fiddleheads. That went awry when I said something about “Eva Won” being a bit tippy, at which my dearest immediately rejected having a tippy boat. So, we have been considering other designs, ones that have a tippiness factor like that shown on one of Chesapeake Light Craft’s stability gauges.
To the defense of Harry Bryan, the Fiddlehead designer, if his design were measured by CLC’s factors, it would very likely be only one tick down from “very stable.” The problem is not the boat, but me, a novice boater who thinks all small boats somewhat tippy. As Nick Shade, of Guillemot Kayaks, says, “The same boat that is a threatening death trap for a novice may be stodgy and boring to an experienced extreme paddler.”
So, we have been shopping for another design. At first, I threatened one of those square aluminum fishing prams, but came around quickly to looking for other solo canoes or kayaks. We now have plans and construction manual for the CLC Mill Creek 13. It is one of CLC’s early designs and thousands have been built. We’ll add one more, Eva Two. She’ll be stable not tippy and red.
Hey Bob,
I really enjoyed the fiddlehead project…turned out very nice.
As for another model-perhaps a little less ‘tippy’ I’d suggest Iain Oughtreds 12′
sailing canoe. I think it’s called the Wee Rob or something like that. I built one a few years back and it’s a very stable little boat. You can omit all of the sailing details if required. It has the speed and charm of a kayak with the stability of a canoe hull.
Maybe one to consider?
Keep well…I’ll be curious to see where you go next.
Also looking back through your re-sawing pages and may pick your brain about the frame saw.
Cheers.
Tom Fidgen
http://www.tomfidgen.blogspot.com
Hi Tom,
Thanks for the encouragement and the tip about the Wee Rob. Now, if Ian would publish one of those gauges showing “very stable,” my partner might consider it.
There’s a little more about my frame saw here. Note well that entry mentions the original blade which I quickly replaced with a blade made from a rip saw. Any other questions, let me know.
All the best on your new book!!! It features some absolutely gorgeous projects.