TexasKayakFisherman.com

We're going to have a stable of boats at the Roundup!

I didnt like the way the cockpits and decks came out so I sanded them back to raw wood.


Some days are like that

Ron

That was one way to warm yourself up yesterday!

Ok I like that better,cloth and glass on the decks today .



More tomorrow.
Ron

Texmullet wrote:That was one way to warm yourself up yesterday!

Yea working in a greenhouse....

That little tunnel has worked out well.
Ron

Just my humble opinion, but...it could pssibly suck in mid-July and August. Nice in the spring, thugh, and a clever idea.
Red

Barditch
This was just a temporary fix until my shop goes up.
After these two boats and the hot weather on the way I plan to be camping and fishing not building.
Ron

bowgarguide wrote:Barditch
This was just a temporary fix until my shop goes up.
After these two boats and the hot weather on the way I plan to be camping and fishing not building.
Ron

That makes perfect sense to me!
Red

bowgarguide wrote:

Slime and grime and cold frothy beer foam...Jeeze, it must be summer coming on!. You wouldn't dare cook a steak or two in a cast iron skillet over an open fire...would you??
Red

We are getting some shine now .



extra cloth laid on both ends.


Going to start looking like a keeper before long.
Ron

Barditch
Yep I have been known to and drink a salty dog while it was cooking. Chase them big ole gator gar tooooooooooooo
Ron

I laid some extra cloth and glass in the cockpit then mounted my adjustable seat rails


Did some sanding and put the first finish coat on.





Want be to long before she gets wet.
Ron

That's beautiful. I hope you've got the arrow pointing in the right direction...

Thats how I know which end is in the front.
Ron

Very nice! I'm ready for a paddle!!! And to be initiated properly on the Brazos w/a salty doggggg!! AND a big ole gar....and some cats,and ........well I'm just ready.....

Stacie tells everyone about her kayak and how much fun we had on the Llano. She is ready to plan anothe rtrip.

Ron on my seat rails (in the Challenger) I never did attach any Velcro to secure the seat from sliding...It takes a lot of leg force to move the seat back...
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The summer is coming on finally in Mo.getting hot..You going to build that TANDEM yet "you riverrat"...... or are you going to spend more time paddlin and fishin??


The mind is willing-wanting to build--but the water keeps calling in my case...

Awoodsman
The reason I like my seat secured, if you turtle the seat will be there when you get back in and if I am really getting on the foot pegs I can slide it sometimes.
The Tandem should be my next boat, but it will depend on this boat. I think she will replace the T-V but if she doesnt ,there will be a ss@g t-v built first.
Ron

Seat mount finished and seat mounted.
I cant stand it any longer , I am fixing to weigh her and then get her wet
Then I will come back and finish her.
Ron

54 lbs ready to float, not bad for a 17 ft 2 inch boat.
Water is coming shortly.
Ron

I loaded her up and headed to the local lake



Dont look half bad

Unloaded and shoved her in the water ,dang she floats shallow , with a small cooler seat and camera bags both ends are out of the water


We need some rain bad here are a few pics of the shore line





I crawled in and shoved off , rocked and rolled sideways ,dang boat is like a rock
I had my seat up 5 inches ,I am going to raise it a couple more the next time I go
The initial stability is great , leaned her on over and it was like hitting a wall,
OH I LIKE IT
Started out across the lake and started turning back and fourth , she doesnt need a rudder , that was one of my concerns.
This is not a sprint boat , got it up to just a little over 5 miles an hour. killing yourself might do 6 for a short time. But oh the cruise speed, my T-V cruises at 3.75 mph this boat can be paddled all day at 4.2 to 4.5 I love it.
This was on a lake with a chop , balanced decks worked great the wind just didnt bother me at all . in fact I turned side ways to the wind and let her drift she
she stayed that way no weather cocking.
I have built some fast boats that can out sprint this one ,but at the end of the day I think they would be playing catch up.
My thoughts on the North Wind , it exceed my expectations .
Rudder not needed
high cruise
I think I need at least a hundred more lbs in her to really see her perform I hate to say it but I think the T-V just got demoted to second place.
Still a lot to do to her ,but now I know she is a winner.
Matt thanks for a great design.
Ron

Did a little rigging on the NW today ,
Jacked the seat up to 8 inches



I will try that height out tomorrow .
Drilled holes for my rod holders and trolling holders



Trolling or drifting they will be in this position.



Transporting like this



I like the rods in front of me so I can see if they snag on anything.
Ron

The 8 inch seat height worked great , rod holder also worked well and the 52 quart ice chest fit in front of me just right for access .



So far everything is coming up roses on this boat, I think I could stand in her , might have to try that.
I sat back and kicked my feet up on top of the cooler and just relaxed ,she was still stable as heck.
I am disappointed in one thing about this boat
I cant think of a single thing that I can improve on , first time I dont have the itch to build another boat . sort of feels funny.
Ron
PS She is a good fishing platform to

Took the NW for another stroll a couple days ago , slimed her a little more .
The 8 inch seat height is still as stable as a rock and super comfortable.
The rod holders worked great.
It was very windy ,lake white capping and she just plowed on through ,no hull slap and the wind didnt seem to bother her much.
If someone tells you that you need a short boat to fish creeks , dont believe them I ran up in a creek a long ways and turned her around , creek was about 18 ft wide ,no problem.
I am still a happy camper with this boat.
Ron