Happy Hour Kayak finally wet

[oldbuffpilot]

Happy Hour Kayak Maiden Splash
I completed this SS&G Happy Hour last November, unfortunately the lake was already frozen. Here it is JULY,and she finally floats! The plans call for a skeg on the stern, of course I had to experiment and added a V bottom and left off the skeg.
Here are the stats:
LOA 9’
Beam 39”
Depth (side height) 11”
Flare 45 degrees
Rocker Bow 7” Stern 3”
Weight 24.6 lbs
By far the strangest boat I’ve built. The slight v bottom obviously didn’t compensate for the lack of a skeg. It needs the skeg. I suspect this would be a good boat for many people, just doesn’t fit my uses. Video’s show it tracking well with a skeg, without it wags a lot.
Future plans for happy hour include a skeg, maybe some arrangement to hide an electric motor in the skeg. For now it’s going covered and under the deck. Thankful for another experience.
Good Fish’n
Andy

 

[oldsparkey]

Looking good , even better with a nice stringer of fish or at lease one for supper.

 

[Kayak Jack]

Andy, I like the way you like to experiment. Good on you!

 

[beekeeper]

Very nice looking little boat. You could probably add the skeg now and have a serviceable boat. The "chaland" I built had a skeg and it behaved pretty well for a short boat with a lot of rocker. I did not use it enough to know if the skeg had any negative aspects for my use.

 

[beekeeper]

I have questions about the seat in this boat.
Does it swivel? How high is it? How is it attached to it's base, screws, bolts, etc. ?
My next project may be to try one of my motor boat's cushioned seats in the pirogue.

 

[oldbuffpilot]

Bee,
It is the cheapest and lightest seat in the Walmart fishing section. It is framed out of plastic, not plywood. I bolted it to a cedar box that slopes slightly down to the rear of the seat. Thank you for that suggestio some time ago, much easier on an old body. I made the box tall enough for my tackle box to go under the seat.The total height to the top of the upolestery seat is 9". No Swivel, but that maybe a good idea.I use this seat in my most stable boats and a lower version for less stable boats. One thing I like is it carries easily with the tackle box stuffed in the box. I can post a pic in the morning if you'd like.
On another note we had to cancel, our Christmas trip to La. Joyce had an incident this morning related to Chemo, that required a call to 911. She got hydration and some other help at the infushion lab,and is resting well at the Texas Tin Shed. We are grateful for a positive outcome of todays event.
Merry Christmas
Andy

 

[beekeeper]

The seat I have and might use is mounted to a metal pedestal post/pin with 4 screws into the plastic seat base. I'm not sure if the screws will be long enough to use back, but I will figure something out.
I had a seat that swiveled in one of my first boats but did not care for it when paddling. It seemed to twist with each stroke. Might work for you.

 

[Kayak Jack]

JD, I can understand a swiveling seat during paddling would throw me off balance. Could you drill a hole and drop in a temporary stop pin?

 

[beekeeper]

That would work, but I have moved on to other seats. Andy may like the swiveling feature. He will have to go to know.

 

[Kayak Jack]

You guys and I share the “exploratory and experimental” gene. Meaning that we sometimes say stuff like, “I wonder what would happen if I blew up this little thingeydo?” I like to experiment with (double talk for “fiddle around with) stuff. When cooking, I don’t follow recipes. When building things, I include “improvements”. Sure makes Life more interesting.

Of course, missing fingers makes scratching a little difficult.

 

[Kayak Jack]

Watch Joey Dupre; he’s an experimenter too.

 

[oldbuffpilot]

That would work, but I have moved on to other seats. Andy may like the swiveling feature. He will have to go to know.

You're right Bee, I don't think I'll try a swivel e eat in such a small boat.

 

[beekeeper]

Happy Hour Kayak Maiden Splash
I completed this SS&G Happy Hour last November, unfortunately the lake was already frozen. Here it is JULY,and she finally floats! The plans call for a skeg on the stern, of course I had to experiment and added a V bottom and left off the skeg.
Here are the stats:
LOA 9’
Beam 39”
Depth (side height) 11”
Flare 45 degrees
Rocker Bow 7” Stern 3”
Weight 24.6 lbs
By far the strangest boat I’ve built. The slight v bottom obviously didn’t compensate for the lack of a skeg. It needs the skeg. I suspect this would be a good boat for many people, just doesn’t fit my uses. Video’s show it tracking well with a skeg, without it wags a lot.
Future plans for happy hour include a skeg, maybe some arrangement to hide an electric motor in the skeg. For now it’s going covered and under the deck. Thankful for another experience.
Good Fish’n
Andy

I understand the paddling issues you had were caused of the rocker and lack of a skeg, but was the beam too wide or did it not cause any problems. I usually find 34" to 36" works well for me and my seat height. I feel like I could manage more beam width. I think the added depth and increased stability could be a positive if it does not distract too much from the ease of paddling.

 

[oldbuffpilot]

I understand the paddling issues you had were caused of the rocker and lack of a skeg, but was the beam too wide or did it not cause any problems. I usually find 34" to 36" works well for me and my seat height. I feel like I could manage more beam width. I think the added depth and increased stability could be a positive if it does not distract too much from the ease of paddling.

Beekeeper, I put 2 small Skaggs on this boat it helped some. I feel like the wigwag I had left was due to the extreme rocker. I prefer the wider Bottom. Or perhaps Is the extreme Flare cheeks such as the crawdad has. Every year seat height and light weight becomes more important

 

[beekeeper]

Did you ever use a double paddle with this boat? I was wondering how well one would work with the 39" beam.

 

[oldbuffpilot]

Did you ever use a double paddle with this boat? I was wondering how well one would work with the 39" beam.

 

[oldbuffpilot]

Yes I used to double paddle after I put the twin skags on. Didn't notice any problem with the Double paddle Still had a little wig wag but not bad. I had my 9" seat with a cushion on it for about 11" That little boat is real stable