> Bram,

> I used Putz's offsets not Skene's. I like the sheerline on Skene's
> drawings better, I hope to replicate these when I do my strip version of
> the kayak. I think the hull shape should be the same or similar at and
> below the waterline.

> How did you do one based on the Skene diagram? Or did you use Putz's 17
> footer offsets like I did? How do the two differ in performance? Garland
> Reese is looking at building a beamier Putz kayak about 16 feet long. My
> guess is it would be slower but turn easier.

> I am impressed with the way mine handles, but I sit too high in it, and
> would like a more upswept bow for a drier ride in big waves.

> What area do you live in? I'd like to see your kayaks sometime. I live in
> Washington State, but occasionally travel elsewhere.

> Mike

As I'm the type that can't leave things alone, I like the adjust things as I always feel I can do a better job. This is not always the case though. Even with Putz's offsets I increased the rocker by one inch and increased the deadrise slightly. I did my own cockpit an elliptical style more similar to native style. I also felt that Putz's method of building the forms was very wasteful of expensive plywood so I built my own beam assembly (now holds my third boat) with about $20 of woodyard 2x10's with scrap particleboard now used as forms (stations).

I am a draftsman by trade and created my own offsets strictly from the diagram in the book (hopefully its to scale). I measured carefully, multiple times, length, width, depth etc at the bow, the stern and amidships then with a drafting program using arcs drawn through 3 points drew the keel line, the deck line, shear line and chine line. I then drew the top view using straight lines at the bow and stern and drew arcs tangent to them through the widest point on the hull. Again I couldn't leave well enough alone so I made the boat a little deeper at the cockpit and a little wider as Putz's original lines left me with a boat with no foot room. I also increased the deadrise a little. All these mods now created a boat with too much room and is fairly beamy (23 1/2"). From the top and side views the body plan is created as well as the station sections. I also take Putz's design one step further so that all deck beams and floor frames end up at the intersection of the truss members more like a proper structural truss.

As the cockpit coaming is not completed I haven't had a chance to paddle the second boat yet but as I'm just a novice paddler I don't know if my comments would have much value as I've nothing to compare them to.

I live in North Vancouver, British Columbia and would be pleased to welcome any wishing to visit.

Regards, Bram.