: This is a good question, but there are alternative answers that might be
: considered here...

: Being primarily, a slow speed craft,(except when designed to have enhanced
: capability) a kayak is nicely suited for what looks to be the type of
: boating that this person has in mind with this design solution. The
: trolling motor he shows is not going to produce a lot of thrust, so he is
: going to be operating in the design envelope for the hull's potential. He
: may like sitting down close to the water where fishing can be more of an
: intimate sport. He may like to poke about in the reed beds at his favorite
: lake so he can watch birds and take pictures. This adaptation would do
: that nicely. And lastly, though there are plenty more possible examples,
: he may want to return the boat to its kayaking origins at his discretion,
: so that he can paddle the boat when he would like. All that is available
: to him through this setup without going out and buying another craft.

: Mike, there are many examples of boats with similar beam/length ratios being
: used with an outrigger and the reasons are varied as to why they evolved
: in this fashion. Some were developed to allow the boat to carry a sail
: without adding weighted ballast for righting moment, some were developed
: with motors and needed to gain enhanced stability for offshore work in
: variably rough conditions.

: The owners of the last type liked the economy of having a slender hulled
: vessel, but wanted to add a stabilizing element so that they could get a
: bit of the benefit of both worlds; fast and economical along with a
: measure of stability.

: Kayaks tend to have a favorable beam/length ratio that mimics a design for
: economy of movement at a slower range of speeds. They are also reasonably
: light for their duty potential, so they are easily transported to small
: bodies of water. Chugging a beamier boat would be more work and be less
: available for other types of use.

: I have found that canoes and kayaks make for amazingly adaptable craft as
: long as you recognize what they do well and what they do not. For
: instance: paired canoes or kayaks can make for an interesting catamaran
: style craft which can be lightly motored or even sailed (with some thought
: to systems and design)

: Either style of hull can be sailed with some degree of efficiency and can
: easily do more than either canoe or kayak can under paddle. This is
: especially so when one considers the energy needed to paddle into the
: wind. The caveat here is that the wind needs to be of sufficient strength
: to make the tradeoff worthwhile.

: A canoe, when rigged with outrigger floats can become a very stable platform,
: allowing small kinds to go out on a lake and learn some of the basics of
: paddling without being subjected to the business of a capsize. The same
: boat can make for a really good duck-hunting platform (for those so
: inclined) as it is lightweight, easily maneuvered and roomy enough to
: provide for a comfortable environment to sit and wait for the birds to
: come into range. You don't need a big metal boat with a hunky outboard
: engine to do this activity.

: And... when all these alternate use activities have been enjoyed, the boat is
: easily returned to its paddled roots for all the traditional pursuits of
: its original design intent.

: Of course, a sailing canoe/kayak is not going to be as efficient at sailing
: as, say, a catamaran dedicated to the activity, but have you ever had the
: pleasure of paddling a cat when the wind dies. Of, sure, it can be done,
: but it's remarkably masochistic in nature. Ask me how I know that after
: years of racing multihulls.

: Kayaks and their sisters in paddling... canoes, are probably the most
: versatile boats available to the boating recreationist. Dollar for dollar,
: they beat all other boating purchases for total adaptability and are the
: ideal first boating investment for a small family, or dedicated
: outdoorsman.

: An example of this flexibility can be shown through a very short blurb on the
: most recent boat to leave my shop, the XCR sailing canoe. The owner is
: having a total blast with his family in this boat. He can motor, sail or
: paddle at his discretion and the boat can be towed behind any car,
: including small economy jobs, as it weighs only 200 pounds when it's ready
: to go sailing.

: http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/07/reports/nov/index.htm

Hi Chris,
Using that motor and outrigger on a canoe makes sense to me, alright, just not a kayak.
It's seems targeted at relatively sheltered water, lakes, etc. For me, an open boat feels better on flat fresh water. A kayak would feel restrictive in the same situation. I think the last time I paddled fresh water was in military service. Inflatables for speed, shallow canoes for stealth. Open boats.
All my paddling now is salt water.

Yep, I have had the pleasure of 'paddling' a catamaran. A 26 foot Pahi-hulled cat weighing a half ton empty. A long bladed sweep between two dead engines used Venetian-style, sculling, moved her fine.

My view of things like the motor-outrigger is coloured by where I live/paddle. I can see it but I don't grok it. :/

That's a nice canoe/tri, by the way.

Mike Savage
South West Cork