Couldnt help but snoop through some of your other albums.... and I just have one question.... You read while paddling????? LOL.. that cracks me up! Cute!
I like your albums... looking forward to more pics.
Smiles,
Heather

: I finally managed to get the RP Sport seaworthy enough to take it out for its
: first water trial. This kayak is a Chris Ostiland design that was provided
: to to over a year ago when I posted a message asking for plans for an
: ice-runner capable kayak that could turn quickly. Chris and Glen Smith
: both provided me with plans. Chris' design was for a S&G while Glen's was
: for stripper. I built Chris' first because of my experience in building
: S&G'ers. I do have the forms cut and shaped for Glen's design and will be
: working on it during the winter. I'll be stripping my low deck Night Heron
: and Glen's design at the same time.

: I asked Chris for a flat bottom design so that when I run the kayak over the
: ice pans of the North Saskatchewan River, the RP Sport wouldn't be tippy.
: When I launched the RP onto the waters of Islet Lake yesterday, I
: discovered that it had no primary stability but lots of secondary
: stability. This caused me to have to adapt my balance considerably in
: order to stay in the kayak. After about an hour of paddling, I was running
: the RP around with ease and good balance. I can crank a turn around a dime
: with the RP and managed to paddle it into some very tight areas that I
: have not been able to get into while paddling the VJ. I did discover that
: my paddle is way too long for the RP so I will have to build a special
: shorter paddle for it.

: Sadly, my carbon fibre paddle (Turbo) was stolen recently. The idiot who
: stole it forgot to take both blades but did make off with the loom and one
: blade. The VJ was also vandalized but not in any very damaging manner.
: That paddle would have been perfect for the RP Sport. I will order a new
: Turbo paddle when I get the $$$ to do so.

: I purchased a riser and coaming from Waters Dancing and should have it
: installed within the next two weeks. I am also lining the leading and
: trailing edges of the hull with brass stem bands to eliminate damage from
: ice running. The bottom (interior) of the hull will also be covered with
: kevlar for the same reasons. The bottom exterior will be coated with
: graphite/cabosil, again, within two weeks.

: Robert N Pruden