BBW River Ranger 14

[Iwannagofishin]

Well, the boat's still not done but she's ready to float. Still need to build the deck hatches, and sand out some epoxy runs. But it's too hot to work on the boat. I'm stopping here for now.

I'll do the rest of the work when the weather cools down. Time to get wet.

[Iwannagofishin]

Time to float the boat.

1st paddle.jpg (32.64 KiB) Viewed 4496 times

Best part was getting my son in the boat. He figured it out in about 5 minutes. Yeah, I know. I'm planning the second boat.

[bowgarguide]

If this is your first boat you did fantastic the boat looks awesome.
Congratulation on your new toy.
Ron

[gerald]

That is one beautiful boat. You did a great job. I'm hoping other new builders will see just how nice these River Ranger boats can be. Hope you'll eventually give us a full paddle report. Can I borrow some of your pictures to put on my design/plan page?

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http://www.brazosboatworks.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Iwannagofishin]

That is one beautiful boat. You did a great job. I'm hoping other new builders will see just how nice these River Ranger boats can be. Hope you'll eventually give us a full paddle report. Can I borrow some of your pictures to put on my design/plan page?

http://www.texaspaddler.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.brazosboatworks.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Feel free to use whatever pictures you like. I started a thread on your forum directing people to this build thread. I'll continue to post here as I add the finishing touches.

PS The boat paddles great. Tracks very well and moves easily under power. I don't have a lot of kayaking experience, so she felt a little tippy at first. But I was completely comfortable in 5-10 minutes. Can't wait to take on some more adventurous trips, and catch a few fish.

Pretty sure I'll be ordering the 12' plans soon. Gotta get started on my son's boat.

[LastHurrah]

This looks fantastic! Can't wait to get mine out on the water. After you put that seat in I bet you were like

[Iwannagofishin]

This looks fantastic! Can't wait to get mine out on the water. After you put that seat in I bet you were like

I've gotta admit, I did a little happy dance.

[LastHurrah]

This looks fantastic! Can't wait to get mine out on the water. After you put that seat in I bet you were like

I've gotta admit, I did a little happy dance.

I've been doing it every day since I've stitched the boat because I still can't believe I was able to build something in the shape of a boat

[LastHurrah]

I saw how Ron did his seat, but yours looks a little different. How did you do yours?

[Dogpaddlin]

Job well done!!!

[Iwannagofishin]

I saw how Ron did his seat, but yours looks a little different. How did you do yours?

Sorry about my slow response. Work kicked my butt this week. Well, my seat is still a work in progress. I may change this, but here's what I've done so far.

I put a guide strip in the middle of the back half of the cockpit. Just "epoxied in" a 5/8" cedar strip about 14 inches long.

Then I took a 3/4" piece of ply, cut it to fit the seat bottom, and used a table saw with a dado blade to cut a groove down the middle of it.

I left the plywood longer than needed because I'm considering adding a storage compartment or cup holder in front of the seat.

So at this point, it's pretty ugly but functions well. It adjusts easily. But there's nothing holding it in place if I flip in the water.

[bowgarguide]

flipping and blowing out of the boat are problems if no pins are used.
ron