Nearly done!

Nearly done! I finalised the design basically as per the previous post, and got cracking. I was slowed down a bit by the panels produced by DelftShip not being the right shape (it appears it can't cope with twist at all) but once I'd modified them a bit I was in business. Because of this I think the shape has ended up not precisely as I designed it - slightly less rise in the stern - but its pretty close.

This is the first test paddle. It's not finished at this point: it's fully glassed inside and out and I've just done the taping of the deck/hull seams with the masking tape still in place in this pic. But bulkheads, cockpit coaming, footrest and back band are all missing. But it floated so I thought I'd try it out to check it was worth finishing!

So, what was it like? Well, the idea was a kayak which was

• a bit shorter and lighter than most - check! (about 15'8" and (guess) 30lbs so far)
• straight tracking - check! On the limited paddle I've had so far I think I've cracked this.
• No weather-cocking - check! There was a decent breeze and I *think* this is going to be OK.
• stable - check! It is positively stable for me at rest, unlike the Point Bennett. But not too stable.
• Manoeverable - check! At least compared to my Point Bennett, which is very hard tracking, first trial suggests this one is much more manoeverable.

So I'm very pleased so far! However, one extra thing I'd like, but didn't really think about much beforehand, is the ability to alter course with leaning. I don't think this is going to work, boo. I wasn't tipping it much cos I didn't have the cockpit coaming on, so there's still a chance, but I don't think it will work even then. Loads of bow rocker and the chine above the waterline at the bow particularly are the culprits I suspect. So at present that's the only thing I think I might change if I were doing it again - otherwise I'm very pleased indeed. But longer sea trials will reveal all - and I'll add more comments when I've experimented further.

If you look closely you'll also see a Greenland paddle I've made, which I've now fallen in love with. So much lighter than my old Euro paddles (see previous grumbles!). I also love the ability to do sliding strokes, which I find I'm using all the time.