Skinny perow coming ( Brazos Cruiser SS)

[jdupre']

Ron, looking good. It doesn't look like you left yourself a lot of room for hatch bungee hardware. Looks like it's gonna be a close fit. I thought about a extra large front hatch cover like that so, in a pinch, I could take it off and step into the front compartment to get out over the bow.

Those compartments are going to be cinch to load. Might be a little harder to seal water out.

Joey

 

[tx river rat]

JD
I am putting the lips in the hatch openings like most of my boats and it will have a rubber weather seal around it ,so it should be pretty water tight, I am thinking of mounting my loops for the bunjis on the side instead of the top.
I have been thinking how easy a cot tent are paddle will go into those big openings.
Ron

 

[tx river rat]

Been tied up for a few days, but got back to work on the hatches today ,all strips installed

trimmed and glassed.

Start putting hardware on tomorrow
Ron

 

[tx river rat]

Got the hardware on the decks today. I sure do like the cords with the hooks on them ,they are easy to handle and you can change the length and configuration as needed for hauling gear.

I still need to install the gaskets but I think I am going fishing in her first.
Ron

 

[oldsparkey]

On the bow ( in the last picture ) you have a good shine on her since it looks like part of the top of the saw horse is a part of the boat. Anyway I sure hope it is nothing more the a reflection. :wink: :lol: If it isn't then you may have a little difficulty paddling her in shallow water.

 

[Wannabe]

Chuck,
Those are probally diving planes so Ron can keep it from going airborne when he wants to go fast. :shock: :? :wink:
Bob

 

[tx river rat]

Bob your pretty close those fins keep my nose up in the wind. :lol: :lol:
Ron

 

[tx river rat]

The handles on the ends of the yak are very handy but I have problems with them hanging down in the water at times.
Today I put the handles on the criuser, instead of drilling a hole placing them right on the point I backed the holes up 4 inches . It leaves plent of hand clearance for carring.

But you have to push it down past the nose and it doesnt extend low enough to get in the water

I think it may solve that problem.
Ron

 

[tx river rat]

Took her out for the first fishing trip today,I just went for a couple hours but slimed the Cruiser .

I paddled her about 5 miles today on a lake ,she will just sit up there and cruise , I need to put her on the river now
I think she is going to be a dream to fish out of on the Brazos ,fast handle easy , and float shallow.
I am a happy camper
Ron
PS I will keep working on her till I get her completed ,but she is going to see some miles while I am doing it.

 

[jdupre']

Fried catfish ----MMMMMmmmmm.

Ron, she can't possibly be that good with a FLAT bottom! :wink: :wink:

Good to hear she paddles well. The river trip should tell the tale, though.

Joey

 

[tx river rat]

JD
I cant tell you how good she is yet ,she is my second fastest boat, That I do know.
In a couple weeks we have a campout on the river and I will put 30 plus miles on her that weekend,I will know more after that.
Ron

 

[catfish]

ron looks like she gonna be a nice boat. by the way what time is supper? :wink: :lol:

 

[tx river rat]

I sanded some drips out of the botoom graphite this morning, after feeling the difference in the slickness I lightly sanded the whole bottom , the graphite does get slicker after drying and a light sanding till it turns grey.
Ron

 

[oldsparkey]

I sanded some drips out of the botoom graphite this morning, after feeling the difference in the slickness I lightly sanded the whole bottom , the graphite does get slicker after drying and a light sanding till it turns grey.
Ron

It's a messy job but you removed the outer skin of epoxy exposing more of the graphite which does make it slicker.

 

[tx river rat]

Took a few days off ,but I am back to doing the little things that make a boat personal.
Got the rubber seals installed on the hatches

I am trying something different on rod holder. I dislike the factory ones ,they stick and its hard to get a rod out when a fish hits, this is what I am going to try on this boat.

I do a lot of drift fishing and they seem to be at the right angle.
Ron

 

[tx river rat]

Review of the Brazos Cruiser
This is a neat boat ,it has a high cruise speed and tracks well but still turns easy.
This boat will be given to my granddaughter when she is ready for it and I think it will suit her well.
Like most three panel boats it shines in flat water are going down stream . Should be a good hull for the Neches race ,light , flat bottom for portaging ,and a good cruise.
I am to big and carry to much gear for this to be a tripping boat for me,and do to much upriver paddling
where a three panel doesn’t shine. It would be a great boat for day trips and a lighter paddler.
Thanks Gerald she is a sweet boat.
Ron

 

[tx river rat]

Been a while since I was out on the river ,well today Glen and his son and I went for a short fishing trip. It was Taylors first time in a yak and he had a ball ,we even caught a few fish.
I was in the Cruiser and she did just what she was designed for a great day boat ,fast sweet paddling and a pleasure to spend a afternoon in.
Taylor with his first fish of the day air borne

father and son ready to launch

Ron

 

[Kayak Jack]

Looks like a good day for you guys, Ronnie. Nice work.

 

[tx river rat]

I like building boats but like paddling and starting new folks the best.
It was a good day
Ron

 

[SundayForever]

It could be a tricky little sucker to paddle the 1st time. When you get the staying upright part mastered it would be a fast boat. A lower center of gravity for the seat would help.