Sweetwater Fishing Forums

Special Interest => Kayak & Canoe Chat => Topic started by: Gregted on June 06, 2013, 07:51:31 PM

Title: Is there such a thing as a homemade ply kayak that looks like a bought one?
Post by: Gregted on June 06, 2013, 07:51:31 PM: Hey all,

Just joined this forum and have a question.

I have made a one sheet canoe out of 6.4mm exterior ply and love the light little 5 hour boat.

I've got mates that have kayaks and we go fishing together but my canoe is veeeerryy tippy and not a relaxing day out at all.

I have seen the $20 outriggers on youtube and may make one before I go out next trip but would like to make a more stable kayak.

Now that I have built my first boat/canoe, I have been looking at other boats/canoes/kayaks and can see the good and bad with all.

The good point for mine is cheap ( $40 for total build), and light but very tippy.
Kayaks are very stable but $500 seems to be a good starting price and I like the idea of building my own.

I have seen the traditional eskimo style kayaks that you sit in but I am wondering why I can't make a kayak with ribs but one that I sit on like a modern kayak.

I can copy my mates kayak in glass but this still comes up to near $400 in glass and resin and I like the idea of working in ply.

We have been out to our local fishing creek and my son and I love the relaxing day out.

Anyway, looking forward to catching up with some of you out there and on this forum.

Greg
Title: Re: Is there such a thing as a homemade ply kayak that looks like a bought one?
Post by: WayneD on June 06, 2013, 09:33:17 PM: Look up Jem watercraft if you want to build your own. Wish I had the patience to do it. I'd love a Laker 13. Cost would be around the $500 mark plus about 50-60 hours of your time.
Title: Re: Is there such a thing as a homemade ply kayak that looks like a bought one?
Post by: Novice on June 06, 2013, 09:34:43 PM: Somerset Wivenhoe Fish Stocking Assoc. run a canoe and kayak convention at Wivenhoe every year. At previous events , there has been an entrant that uses and displays his ply homemade kayak....but from memory it was a sit in yak. It's an absolute work of art by the way.

If you search the previous years threads from this comp you may stumble upon a picture of it.

Cheers,
Dave.
Title: Re: Is there such a thing as a homemade ply kayak that looks like a bought one?
Post by: Dodge on June 06, 2013, 10:01:54 PM: This build thread on AKFF of a Jem ply kayak may be of interest, on the last page you will see a couple of Jems made by the same bloke.
http://www.akff.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=95&t=7832 (http://www.akff.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=95&t=7832)
Title: Re: Is there such a thing as a homemade ply kayak that looks like a bought one?
Post by: rayke1938 on June 07, 2013, 04:10:20 AM: If you search the fishntales of hervey bay site there was a guy who did some beautifully crafted wooden yaks and canoes. It was truely inspirational work.
Cheers
Ray
Title: Re: Is there such a thing as a homemade ply kayak that looks like a bought one?
Post by: RonK on June 29, 2013, 10:51:16 AM: You bet - have a look as Chespeake Light Craft (http://www.clcboats.com/shop/kayak-kits/). They offer anything from plans to complete pre-cut ready to build kits.