G,day guys,
Thanks Tyer,
This boat really is as good as I say it is. It is a stroke of Genius on Matts part and it surprises me every time I get in her with just how good she is. It not only looks fast, It actually is fast. Effortless to paddle and maintain a very good cruising pace and glide, similar to a large sea kayak only with a lot more room, carrying capacity and comfort.
With the seat three and a half inches above the bottom, she is rock solid stable and lends her self very well to casting hardbody lures - all day.
I spent 5 hours continuously in her the other day in comfort and the only reason I needed to get out then was for bladder relief. (can I say that here?)
re difference between Southwind and Northwind. I haven't seen detailed drawings of Northwind so I can only speak in generalities. Southwind is a little longer, sleeker and skinnier than Northwind. Southwind also has less volume and lower sides and smaller load carrying capacity (I think). I also think Southwind might have finer entry at the stems. Matt would be the best one to ask about this.
Another very important difference (for me anyway) is that Southwind is constructed with fewer panels which meant less work for me.
As to which boat is better. I don't know. Verlin Kruger did some amazing things in his Sea Wind. Matts Northwind is based on this boat. How much can be credited to the boat he used, as opposed to the legendary man himself is open to conjecture. I suspect it was a combination of a superb boat being used by a remarkable man and athlete.
I like my Southwind better simply because of its lower volume with probably less wind signature and involves less work to build. Southwind will do everything I want her to - well. I built her mainly for extended solo paddling/camping/fishing trips in semi open water. She is so good, I reckon all of my other boats are about to be severely neglected.
Having said all that, I will probably wind up building a Northwind too just because I can, and I would really like one in my shed. I think the Northwind would work better , two up and would probably be an even better rough water option. I would be surprised if it is any faster or better to paddle though. Southwind is, by far, the best boat in my shed at the moment. I only wish somebody else would build one to corroborate what I am saying about it.
Bear, Mate, my slippers were in boot style and we call them Ugg Boots. they are very warm and comfortable. An Aussie design, brand name and concept., Has been for decades. An American company patented the name "Ugg Boot" after the fact and is now sueing our small Aussie company for innappropriate use of THEIR brand. There is an all in shit fight going on at the moment.
Re the stylish hats. I got one of them too. Souveneered it from a bloke I met once.
Jack,
Thanks mate, Swamp to Sea, describes it perfectly.
Cat,
Thanks mate. So do I.
Mate, I threw lots of little fellers like that one back. That one inhaled my lure and I had to kill it to get my lure back.
The bream averaged about 12 inches and about a pound and a half in weight. The small one would have been about a pound. They are very good to eat at this size.
Re the electronics. it is a fishfinder. - invaluable for finding fish and structure on the bottom. An American brand that is in my mind the best on our market.
I don't need a GPS in the waters I fish. Land marks are good enough.
Thanks Tyer,
This boat really is as good as I say it is. It is a stroke of Genius on Matts part and it surprises me every time I get in her with just how good she is. It not only looks fast, It actually is fast. Effortless to paddle and maintain a very good cruising pace and glide, similar to a large sea kayak only with a lot more room, carrying capacity and comfort.
With the seat three and a half inches above the bottom, she is rock solid stable and lends her self very well to casting hardbody lures - all day.
I spent 5 hours continuously in her the other day in comfort and the only reason I needed to get out then was for bladder relief. (can I say that here?)
re difference between Southwind and Northwind. I haven't seen detailed drawings of Northwind so I can only speak in generalities. Southwind is a little longer, sleeker and skinnier than Northwind. Southwind also has less volume and lower sides and smaller load carrying capacity (I think). I also think Southwind might have finer entry at the stems. Matt would be the best one to ask about this.
Another very important difference (for me anyway) is that Southwind is constructed with fewer panels which meant less work for me.
As to which boat is better. I don't know. Verlin Kruger did some amazing things in his Sea Wind. Matts Northwind is based on this boat. How much can be credited to the boat he used, as opposed to the legendary man himself is open to conjecture. I suspect it was a combination of a superb boat being used by a remarkable man and athlete.
I like my Southwind better simply because of its lower volume with probably less wind signature and involves less work to build. Southwind will do everything I want her to - well. I built her mainly for extended solo paddling/camping/fishing trips in semi open water. She is so good, I reckon all of my other boats are about to be severely neglected.
Having said all that, I will probably wind up building a Northwind too just because I can, and I would really like one in my shed.
I think the Northwind would work better , two up and would probably be an even better rough water option. I would be surprised if it is any faster or better to paddle though. Southwind is, by far, the best boat in my shed at the moment. I only wish somebody else would build one to corroborate what I am saying about it. Bear, Mate, my slippers were in boot style and we call them Ugg Boots. they are very warm and comfortable.
An Aussie design, brand name and concept., Has been for decades. An American company patented the name "Ugg Boot" after the fact and is now sueing our small Aussie company for innappropriate use of THEIR brand. There is an all in shit fight going on at the moment.Re the stylish hats. I got one of them too. Souveneered it from a bloke I met once.
Jack,
Thanks mate, Swamp to Sea, describes it perfectly.
Cat,
Thanks mate. So do I.
Mate, I threw lots of little fellers like that one back. That one inhaled my lure and I had to kill it to get my lure back.
The bream averaged about 12 inches and about a pound and a half in weight. The small one would have been about a pound. They are very good to eat at this size.
Re the electronics. it is a fishfinder. - invaluable for finding fish and structure on the bottom. An American brand that is in my mind the best on our market.
I don't need a GPS in the waters I fish. Land marks are good enough.