I recently launched a modified Outer Island from Jason Design. I seem to build at least one boat a year. Since no boat does everything perfect, I have an excuse to start another one when I find the "flaws" in the previous years project.I built an earlier version of the Outer Island a couple of years ago and have really enjoyed the boat. It had a bit of a tendancy to weather cock which I corrected with a retractable skeg. The old version was fast, stable and easy on the eyes.

I had ideas on improving the original OI and when Jay Babina "refined" the design it incorporated most of the changed that I felt would improve the boat. Since Jay is about 30 pound heavier than me, I decided to reduce the volume on the new version. I put the forms from the new design in a copy machine and reduced them by 2%. The frame spacing was left unchanged and the deck was raised back up a little bit forward of the cockpit to be sure my feet would still fit comfortably. I also did some very minor tweeks in the bow and stern as well as a Keyhole cockpit.

If you like building kayaks, DON'T BUILD this boat!!! It does everything so well that I can't come up with a reason to build another one yetThenew boat is noticeably faster (very fast!!). Tracks better with very little tendancy to weathercock. I installed a retractable skeg in this one before the deck was glassed on.The boat does not "need" a skeg, but I still like having it. I was concerned that the reduced beam would make the boat tippy. It turned out to be very forgiving. If you do go over, it is the easiest sea kayak I have ever rolled. One person that paddles a Feathercraft and tried this boat said it felt like it rolls itself! One of the design improvements in this versionis a little more rocker in the bow and a little more curve in the entry. The result is a drier ride and less tendancy for the bow to pearl when surfing the short chop of San Francisco Bay. The volume on this boat is fairly low which I like for day paddling and short trips. When I flood the cockpit it is still fairly easy to manage. I lowered the deck behind the cockpit slightly and as a result the water level in the cockpit can't rise above that level. Beside being able to lay back comfortably when rolling this is a added bonus that I hadn't considered.I installed a foot pump, but so far I'm not sure I am satisfied with it. Another improvement has been flush hatches with a 1/4 turn latching system. It is a simple and elegant way to have dry hatchs that can be opened a closed easily with cold hands.

All things considered this is the best boat I have built to date. As a matter of fact, it is the nicest boat I have paddled for my style of kayaking. I need to come up with some flaws soon so that I can begin the daydreaming process for the next project. I forgot to mention the fact that the lines are beautiful! I will post a photo soon.

Ken