Hi,
I am looking at a home made Kayak of unknown design made by an unknown guy in an unknown way. It’s WAY cheep. I don’t fit in it. The hole isn’t wide enough. Can I cut this back an inch or three and still have a structurally stable hull? It’s WAY cheep and I figure it would be good for paddling around local lakes and bolt things like fish-finders and rod holders to. It’s about 14’ long and 24 inches wide. I am six feet, two-twenty and about 17" across at the hip bones. Any thoughts?
YES
I Have thoughts
If
If you alter it or don’t alter it, I would only paddle around where you know you could swim out if the kayak breaks in half.
yes?
And the thoughts are?
Thats my boat
It is an especially perfect boat for people who weigh between 80 and 400 pounds. It is great for Class 4,5, and 6, and tracks straight as an arrow on flat water, with a top speed of 17 knots. It is very stable, and is a great beginner boat, but it will grow with your skills, and you can race Blackburn in it and win.
It is easy to alter, because it is made out of legos.
she’s not JUNK!
Perhaps I wasn’t entierly clear it appears to be well made plywood and fiberglass boat that you wold make from plans purchased off of a company. It’s intended use would be beginner paddling around lakes and streams and catching a fish now and then. I have no desire to race it, take it on white water and do not expect it to be any thing but a recreational vehicle. My only reservation is that if I cut away the hatch any it will cut into the fiberglass where the deck meets the sides and weaken the structure.
You guys are Kayak snobs.
The Mob
Hurling insults at the mob won’t get you the answers you seek.
Can you post a photo? it may be made
from JEM watercrft plans or the builder may just know about boats.
Were not snobs, just a little feisty.
If it’s "way cheep"
why not take a saber saw and have at it? Not much to lose and you might end up with something useful. Education is worth the price! John
nope
find yourself a kayak that fits you–in the end you will be glad you spent the extra money
Grumpy,
welcome to padling.net and the host of idiots who respond to a question they know nothing about! I don’t see how cutting the cockpit larger would affect the performance of a boat you just wanna poke around in. If the price is right and it’s an experiment anyways…
Hole?
I assume you are talking about the cockpit and it should have a raised rim (coaming) around it which a sprayskirt can be attached to. Cutting that away would probably not be wise. How wide and long is the present “hole” as you indicate that the boat is about 24" wide.
sounds like you need
a sit on top, or canoe
???
You give almost zero information on the boat and no photos. Post some good photos.
Touchy, touchy!
What insult?
The boat I am in, so to speak, is that I bought a “fishing” canoe to fish in and I spent more time trying not to drift into shore debris and fighting the wind than I did fishing.
I now have two very different opinions about taking a saw to the thing. Any one want to be the tie-breaker?
Come now
You need to learn to spot a troll.
thoughts
I don’t think you know enough about the boat to make a decision and you haven’t provided enough information to get helpful answers.
My gut feeling is that if it’s free go for it and the experience of cutting and re-fitting will be valuable. If it costs more than $50 I’d go and get a $250 rec. boat for fishing because the time and materials to make this wood one work for unknown outcome on the water will probably approach the cheap plastic boat.
NooB=Troll?
So just because I have no experience with these things and am turning to some enthusiasts I’m a troll? Howzat work?
Unfortuneately, I have neither a bunch of information or photos of the boat. The cockpit is 17" wide and of unknown length that I feel is “too short” to be useful.
Any way, that $50 over /under is a good point and it very well might be a bunch of dough down the tubes better spent on an actual kayak made in a factory and designed by engineers. Learning vs. Fishing/exploring…
With improved skills you should
be able to learn a bit of boat control for that canoe and not fight the wind so much. You may also have bought, out of lack of knowledge, something sold as a fishing canoe that’s not. Canoes are great fishing boats. But, learning a few skills enhances the experience.
It’s Demo Season
I for one appreciate the fact that you are asking questions. Non illegitimatum carborendum (don’t let the bastards grind you down).
Don’t cut till you’re pretty sure you know what you’re doing. Don’t be in a hurry. You may have junk, or you may have a real treasure. The only way to tell is to continue to educate yourself. Demo or rent some different kayaks and see how they perform and feel. Go to a kayak outfitter (not a big-box) and ask questions about kayak design, fit, use. Most are happy to talk about what they love. However, if you want an outfitter to look at your boat and give advice, you will be well-received if you offer to pay for a consultation. Good luck.