August Reports  

By Duckworks Readers - all over the place

January - February - March - April - May - June - July

Veep 14

I got to try the VeeP 14 out today for a water test , or at least that is what I am calling it. I really couldn't wait to get her in the water. I had to make sure she didn't leak before I put in the carpet. I still have some finishing to do but at least she got wet. I am so happy Thanks for your site. Keep up the great work. I have more pictures on the Michalak forum under VeeP 14.

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In order to get the boat to the pond for the water test yesterday, the wife and I had to load the boat in the minivan. I am telling you it sure was a funny sight. The pond is about a mile from the house and we have to go by an old grain mill that has converted into a small engine shop.This is where the local old guys hang out. As we went by, we waved a usual but today we got quite a few smiles, a few nods, and I know we will be the talk of the mill for a while.

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Thanks for a great place to dream.
Bryan
KG4ENB
Maryville TN

XCR Ready

Chuck,

The prototype XCR will be sailing on Saturday. The photo below shows the sails being rigged in my boatyard this afternoon. Just a few small bits to sort tomorrow and she's ready to go get wet.

I'll have lots of stills as well as a YouTube video from the Saturday session... if there is wind, of course. Kellan's about to jump out of his skin, he's so excited.

Chris Ostlind

 

XCR Sailing

Chuck,

Chris and I got the XCR on the water this weekend. I was very happy with every aspect of it. The wind was pretty fickle, but enough to tell me that the twin rig is terrific. I've attached a photo.

Now it's back in the shop for final tweaks and painting. Once we have photos of the finished boat I'll send another article.

Kellan Hatch

Boating Safety 101:

If you name your boat after your wife, do not then describe it to her as "beamy, with a flat bottom, blunt nose, and saggy middle".

P A Christian

New Sails in Vladivostok

Here is my boat with sails I made from Tanbark colored Dacron sailcloth I purchased in your online store.

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Good looking? Once again, thank you!

That is What Boat Builders Do

Chuck:

I just received the plans for the Egret today and I am very excited. I also included pictures of my latest projects just because that is what boat builders do.

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Thanks, Chris
Georgia

Grandkids in Ice

Chuck,

Last weekend we went to visit the kids and grandkids in Fairbanks. The snow was about gone there (we still have quite a bit.) but the melt-off in the borrow pit had about 3/8 inch of ice on it. But the kids wanted to play with the canoes so they broke the ice up and had a ball. Here's a couple of pictures.

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And here are pictures of the Halloween skunk canoe and Devan's coracle both on their maiden voyages.

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Evan Hardman
Glennallen, Alaska

Trimaran Project

I'm sending some pictures of the project we're just finishing. Filled in the old non-opening lexan windows and installing 6 opening Beckson ports. Came out fair. They look out of line in the photograph, but are actually straight.

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Lee Martin

Kayak 4 a Kure

Black Dog Kayaks provided tandem/triple kayaks to John Dubina and Louis Breckenridge as they travel 2500 miles from the Headwaters of the Mississippi River to the Delta to raise money to research a cure for children's cancers. They are working in partnership with the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

John and Louis have logged almost two thousand miles on the River so far. They have posted several videos of their trip down the river so far along with a map of the Mississippi River showing their progress:

https://www.kayak4akure.com/Mississippiexpedition.html

For more information about their Black Dog Cerberus 21 Skin-on-Frame kayak visit https://www.blackdogkayaks.com/tandem.html

Joel Fleischer
Marquette, Michigan
https://www.blackdogkayaks.com

Double Header


click image above for larger view

Features:

  1. Made from 1/8th inch marine grade aluminum plate for commercial use in areas where the boat is run aground on rocky stream bottoms or sandy shores. All welded seams give long life with low maintenance.
  2. Over 300 lbs of positive foam floatation makes the boat virtually unsinkable. Side Pontoons create a very stable platform for capsize protection for standing or boarding safety. Bimini top offers sun and weather protection.
  3. Optional comfort station can be included that offers each float party a necessary privacy enclosed toilet facility that goes along on float trips lasting several miles or hours.
  4. Raised seats offer older or impaired float customers a comfortable stable float trip with shade from the bimini for necessary sun protection. Ideal for young children or for customers with disabilities.
  5. Lease Purchase allows boats to pay for themselves out of rental income. A number of boats can be purchased to expand your rental income into the senior market not currently being tapped.
  6. Boats can be purchased either fully assembled, or as kits that require some assembly by the buyer. Price is determined by level of completion.

Info at www.oneuglyboat.com
or email oneuglyboat@hotmail.com

Seen This?

Ahoy Chuck,
Seen this? From Classic Boat mag June 07 issue.
regards, Benjy

Summer Breeze At Sunset

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Chuck,
I thought you might like this picture my daughter got of my son sailing the "Summer Breeze". I could not have done better myself!
Evan Hardman

Looking for Sampan Plans

Chuck,
I am trying to locate some plans or someone to build a Chinese Sampan similar to the attached picture. It is about 26' long and 12' wide.
Thanks, Terry Niedermeyer

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Cherub

Sir ~ In the article for a boat design for 'Cherub' the writer (James
Brown) refers to a voyage by Hank Hemingway in a Sam Rabl designed 'Picaroon' from Mobile to Cuba.

I have wondered about this voyage for years since reading Mr. Rabl's comments on the dust cover of 'Boat Building in Your Own Backyard.'
Would you know whether anything was ever published about this voyage?

Thanks,
Jackson Ehrlich

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PS. I'm building an H-28. Photo attached.

Low Profile Pointy Skiff

Hi Chuck,

I will be submitting an article about the low profile pointy skiff and its trip to the Sylvania Wilderness into the hands of its owner.

Here are a couple of shots of the pleased owner, Dennis, and the boat's first dip taken at Snap Jack Lake, Sylvania Wilderness. I think she sits pretty. It rows beautifully well and Dennis is thrilled. Dennis and the boat is in Indiana floating and fishing the Tippicanoe River.

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Meanwhile, I would really like to build a lightweight craft so that I can access and float two small rivers; mainly the Embarrass and the
Red. They both have great smallmouth bass populations, but the
access points are REALLY rugged. The boat would serve as transport for two, park and wade fishing. In other words we would paddle, then get out at good spots to fish. The exit point on both streams is at a county highway bridge and involves a very steep bank. The last time I floated the Embarrass was in an aluminum "mini drifter". We had to use the car and rope to pull that up the bank. It is an experience I don't want to repeat with that heavy thing.

Do you have any experience with a good pirogue design for two? I'm shooting for something around 50 lbs but still somewhat stable and I could throw up on top of the van.

Best,
Jim Hauer

Aggie Boater

submitted by Bill Tosh

New to This Boating Stuff

Hello,

I am a new reader, and new to this boating stuff.
I designed a small boat that I thought would fit in the back of my truck, it does, but oh so heavy, takes atleast two to load. now I am working on a trailer.

have two other designs, a small one sheeter (lot's lighter) and a
16' cuddy cabin. (this is the one that I have a question about.)

In the hull program, when I finish the design, the waterline and other stuff stays at zero. Maybe it was because I went from keel to sheer then back to keel on the inside of the boat. Is there a way to correct this? Or do I just use straight cut's (no lofting) and hope the rocker and everything else get's solved during building.

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The boat that I built is called lady (lady arrowhead - hull file looked like an arrowhead).

The boat that I built is called lady (lady arrowhead - hull file looked like an arrowhead) The single sheeter is called soda pop (hull file looked like a soda pop).

thanks, marsboat

Campskiff

Readers of this magazine might be aware of the postings about the construction of this boat as well as the trials and tribulations of the maiden “voyage”.

I have been in correspondence over the last year or so with a number of builders of either the “Campskiff” or the deriviative “Redwing” from Chesapeake Marine Design. All of my correspondents have commented on one or another of the following problems.

The boat “squats”, the boat either doesn’t steer or has an excessive turning radius or in a breeze the bow tends to wander, especially at low speeds.

Some had all of these problems, especially the “Campskiff”. (Including mine).

The articles previously published in this magazine detail the advice and possible solutions. Here is what works for the “Campskiff” and from one correspondent, for the “Redwing”.

Squatting: Doel fins help a lot, maybe enough. Adding angle to the transom to enable the engine to have one more increment of adjustment. I assume that StingRay hydrofoils would also work.

Excessive turning radius: Boats with little or no steering problem have long shaft engines. (But most other correspondents commented on the “wide” turning radius. Otherwise the solution is to cut off the skegs completely aft of the propeller. Bow wandering is part of this problem since the bow tends to “skid” so the boat won’t turn. The solution for bow wandering is also part of the solution for excessive turning radius.

Bow wandering: This is exacerbated by the squatting so that has to be solved. I have added a 1 ½" x 8‘ keel forward and a small fin forward. This keel and fin keep the bow from skidding. I will be reducing the fin bit by bit until it is useless and then restore a previous version that worked.

My “Campskiff” now operates properly and turns on a dime. It is for sale. Please see ad below.

Bob Chamberland

************************

For Sale: 18 foot “Campskiff”. This is the Chappelle original upon which the Stambaugh designed “Redwing” is based. Readers of this magazine may be aware of a series of articles about this boat that have appeared over the last few years chronicling the building of this boat and problems at the maiden “voyage”. The problems have been resolved though modifications that have been tried have to be made permanent.

This boat is a work in progress. Running lights are installed but not wired into a panel. There is no panel installed yet. There is a battery box built in but no battery. Bunks are built in with storage under however there are no “mattress” pads. This version is built with the “flip-up” cabin top, however no “rain skirts” are installed nor is there anything as yet to hold the cabin top in the flipped position. The cabin interior is painted but is not fitted out for camping.

Included is a model SLB30BS Shoreland’r trailer bought new for this boat. The trailer has brakes. The carrying capacity of the trailer is 3000 lbs.

Power at present is a 5 hp Nissan 4 cycle motor.

The give away price is $6,500.00.

Bob Chamberland 231 271 4231

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Hi Chuck, Sandra -

Getting close tho' a bit frustrated with the last details ... windows, hatches, paint trim & inspect/register the trailer. Was tickled when I installed the rigging .. sets up fine, including the two polytarp sails I cut.

Be well.

Bob Throne

SAILS

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