Two New Builds TV 12 32 and Crawdad 11 34 | SouthernPaddler.com

Two New Builds TV 12 32 and Crawdad 11 34

oldbuffpilot

Well-Known Member
May 13, 2014
629
34
80
Central Kansas and Central Texas
Two New Builds TV 12 32 and Crawdad 11 34
I decided that since cure time was one of the reasons it took so long to build, it would be about as fast to build two boats in about the same time as one. Not completely true, but I did it! Last year Matt scaled down the TV 15-32 to a TV 12-32. I built it SS&G. I really liked it, not as stable as the previous built plywood TV 15 32, but much easier to load and unload. I gave the TV 12 32 to a REAL good friend on his 60th birthday. But I liked it so well I built another one. I also ask Matt to design a short stable boat. He came up with an 11’ 6” “Crawdad” which looks much like the Gheenoe. I call it the Crawnoe. This post will try to show both builds and some techniques that work for me. There are many different techniques, I’ve shown some that seem to work for me. ALL of these ideas originated from previous builder post. Which is the reason for me posting, to share with others.

For the TV 12 32, I already had Patterns (1/2 length). Matt drew the Crawdad full length so I used a roll of “floor protection” cardboard from HD. This way the patterns roll up to store. In my opinion for SS&G the full length drawing is the way to go. I know Ron lofts his plans straight on the glued strips. I’d like to use his method, I tried that but wasn’t smart enough! For my glue up guidelines, I outlined each panel in a different color on one piece of craft paper before covering them with plastic that way I only had to lay out the “rough patterns” and plastic once.

So the steps were:
Rip and plane the cedar
Loft the full size patterns on the cardboard and cut them out.
Trace the cardboard patterns onto craft paper.
Cover the craft paper with plastic, and glue the rough shaped stripped panels together extending slightly over the Pattern outline.
Plane the slightly oversized sized panels
Trace the pattern on the rough shaped glued panel, cut and sand the edges to
finished size and shape.
Stitch and Glue as a normal

Pictures :
Skillsaw jig for ripping

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Ripping strips

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Card board pattern bottom crawdad

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Three patterns traced on paper

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Gluing tumblehome TV 12 32

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Tracing rough panel to final shape

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Sanding panel to final size

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Drilling stitch holes

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Stitching TV 12 32

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Filleting

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Smoothing edges

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Glassing

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Deck supports

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Glassing on decks

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Crawdad

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First Time crawdad

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TV 12 32

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Fishing TV 12 32

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Fishing crawdad

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Both boats are light, but sturdy. The TV paddles and handles the wind best. The crawdad is VERY stable. The square stern on the crawdad makes it very easy to carry in the pickup bed. I haven’t weighed either but best guess is 28 -30 lbs. Once again I’m very happy with the design and function. I’m beginning to appreciate that these different designs are really different and each has its own qualities.

Thanks Matt for two great designs. Thanks also to all of you that have previously posted builds and answered questions. More about these boats after I use them for a while.

Good Fish’n
Andy
 

beekeeper

Well-Known Member
Mar 4, 2009
1,917
59
Pretty wood and nice work.
If you do weigh the Crawdad please let us know. It is about the size of the lapstreak pirogue I built. I'm curious as to how they compare. I bet you enjoy it. I don't fit too well in them,but the shorter boats are very handy and make great fishing platforms.

beekeeper
 

oldbuffpilot

Well-Known Member
May 13, 2014
629
34
80
Central Kansas and Central Texas
Matt and Bee ,
I haven’t used the Crawdad enough to get a comprehensive report yet. My first impression is that it is a very good “old man’s truck boat.”
Pros
It weighs 28.5lbs. The final cedar panels were 5mm, 6 oz cloth doubled in wear areas and around the top.
Very easy to load and transport in a pickup. The square stern helps this a lot.
Stability couldn’t be better. My seat is at 9 inches and could go higher. I can stand but at age 72 probably not smart.
Paddles real well, straight and easy, until the wind starts effecting it.
Cons
The wind signature maybe a problem. Mostly the bow swings in a breeze.

I haven’t been able to get a fair comparison with other boats in the same wind conditions and usage. It’s been out 3 times, twice to just paddle and play with it, and one 5-6 hour fishing trip up and back down a small river (creek), with about 20 knots of wind. I need to use it some more to make any definite statements.

The water line with payload of 230lbs is right at the seam of the two “sides”. A Little lower than this picture which had about 190 lb load.

I think it would be a really great boat for Gheenoe enthusiast. After using the Crawdad it’s easy to see why they are almost a “cult”

My initial thoughts are it would be the perfect truck boat (I know Ron no such thing) if it had a pirogue front and top similar to the TV. I would be interested in trying a version with less wind signature. I would like to be able to pass the building skills and design of a perfect truck boat to my grandchildren. Right now they are using UJ’s that they built. This boat is much more advanced than the reliable and basic UJ design.


Good Fish’n
Andy
 

oldsparkey

Well-Known Member
Aug 25, 2003
10,479
123
Central , Florida
www.southernpaddler.com
It works good , paddling , from your report..........
I keep wondering how it would work with a trolling motor , not a big powerhouse one just a simple clamp to the transom one.
Run an extenuation to the battery cables and put the battery in the bow for a counter weight.
Yep I know the shaft on the motor would be really long but folks have been known to disassemble and shorten them to a comfortable length for use on the back of a small boat. :D

You do have a couple great looking boats to use , they are a couple of honeys.

Chuck.
 

Kayak Jack

Well-Known Member
Aug 26, 2003
13,976
171
86
Okemos / East Lansing Michigan
Andy, I'm likely going over plowed ground here, but will stumble right in anyway.

As Chuck suggests, add ballast to the bow. (Simple, variable, has to be done over and over)
Or, reposition the seat forward, say 6". (More complex, may have to be done a couple times to find sweet spot, permanent.)
Deck over the front 1/4 or 1/3 of the boat. (Complex, done once, permenant.)

Good luck.
 

oldbuffpilot

Well-Known Member
May 13, 2014
629
34
80
Central Kansas and Central Texas
I cleaned up the “crawdad’ to varnish, so thought I’d post an update. I really like this little boat. It is easy to load and carry in the short bed pickup. The square stern stabilizes it both in the truck and on the water. It is very stable and paddles reasonably well. After several trips I decided a thwart would be a good idea. Probably not necessary, but you never know when a geezer might drop it or the wind roll it down a gravel bar. The seat at 9 inches and the high sides are both secure and comfortable.

I put some vertical (pvc) rod holders in the thwart. They work ok for open water, not so well in the brush. The front rod holders for fishing are modified from some two dollar rod holders from Academy, and double as paddle holders. I was pretty proud of them for holding crappie poles. A VERY large Gasper Goo changed my mind I will replace them with something stronger.

I am really pleased with this boat, well suited for my purpose and fishing style. Thanks Matt (JEM Watercraft) for another unique design.

Good Fish’n
Andy
[img=http://s19.postimg.org/6drxtnpr7/crawdad_side.jpg]
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beekeeper

Well-Known Member
Mar 4, 2009
1,917
59
Nice finish. :)
Tell me about the short paddles. Are they clipped/attached onto the sides, or just propped there for the pictures?
I tried the two paddle method for fishing but found it awkward to have to place one or both paddles in the boat to cast. Also had lots of paddle drips in the boat. Popular propulsion around Lake Bistineau area so I know it works.
I thought about tying them together then drape the cord across the boat, and let them trail in the water. Figured that would just be something else to trip or tangle me up. A couple of J hooks or a bracket on my boats tumble homed top panels may be the answer.

bee

:oops: Ops; Reread the post and noticed the rod holders double as paddle holders, but do you place the paddle there to cast?
 

oldbuffpilot

Well-Known Member
May 13, 2014
629
34
80
Central Kansas and Central Texas
Bee,
I only started using a kayak paddle in the last few years. The long paddle just wouldn’t work in the tight areas I liked to fish. In fact I thought that the two short paddles was the only way to fish in a pirogue! I have always used some sort of J hooks outside the boat to keep the water outside. I have made hooks out of different materials: #14 romex bent to appropriate shape and fastened with a sheet metal screw between the 2 wires, “plumbers tape”(perforated metal strap) covered with duck tape works good. I now use the plumbers tape and bend to fit in the in wale slots, bend it to hold on place and move between boats.

Now I usually use a kayak paddle to move long distances and short paddles to fish. I often fish with one short paddle sculling and fish a long pole with the other hand. When casting it becomes second nature to just lay the paddle in the j hook.

Here are some pics. There is also a picture of me paddling toward the front of this thread.

Good Fish’n,
Andy


 

Kayak Jack

Well-Known Member
Aug 26, 2003
13,976
171
86
Okemos / East Lansing Michigan
I've seen a couple of "specialised" paddles for sculling. One looked like an extended artist's pallette, complete with a thumb hole. Another had a wrist gauntlet, similar to some crutches.

I'm. Not much of a sculler. But, if I were to try to build a paddle for it, my first try would incorporate a "twisty semi circle" sticking out sideways from the top of a short paddle. Problem being, it would have to serve both left and right handed use, and thus be instantly reversible.

My. Second try would have a spliced circle of soft, luxurious, decadent rope strung into the top of the paddle. And, I'd probably sharpen the bottom end of the paddle, so's it could also serve as a spatula - or fly swatter.
 

oldbuffpilot

Well-Known Member
May 13, 2014
629
34
80
Central Kansas and Central Texas
Definitely store bought paddles and hard to find. I don’t think I’m smart enough to build paddles. Maybe if Matt drew plans and S and G instructions! It used to be you could buy a 2 ½ foot paddle in any La. bait store, not any more. I may give it a try when I’m too old to get in and out of the pirogue.
 

beekeeper

Well-Known Member
Mar 4, 2009
1,917
59
Plans are not needed to build a paddle. It is easy. Has to be, I built one. Just choose a piece of wood larger than the paddle you want and cut, scrape, hack, and/or sand away anything that does not look like a paddle.
If you could find a "real" bait store today they may would have one. At best there are a few tackle stores that have crickets and worms.
I gave away my short paddles to a friend who uses them in his pirogue. I think I will make a bracket/hooks and try again. Resting them outside the cockpit will eliminate the water drips, the extra step of putting the paddle in and taking it out of the boat, and will keep it "at ready" for the next stroke.
Sculling is a quit and controlled way to move the boat while fishing.

bee