: I have many different shaped sea kayaks, ranging from a 19 ft waterline x 21
: inch beam to a 16 ft wl with 30 inch beam.

: My boats also vary somewhat in rocker V and bilge shape.

: I paddle regularly with the same two or three people, one of whom is a
: massive Shrek-like brute (6 ft 3in ±250 lbs)
: No matter what this guy paddles he blows everyone else away. The result, he
: has to paddle the wide sissy's boat to slow him down. It doesn't work
: though.

: A typical outing might by 3 or 4 hours on the water averaging 7kph in varying
: conditions. At this fairly good ground covering speed one can still hold a
: conversation and paddle without needing recovery stops. No one seems to be
: over-taxed, no matter what boat they may be in.

: The one thing I have observed though is that different hull shapes seem to be
: faster or slower in differing conditions. I get the sensation that the
: longer flatter boats tend to need less effort in flat water, while a round
: hull with a little rocker seems to dance a bit on rough water and feel a
: little more floaty and less bogged down. This is why I like my North Star
: so much. I tend to paddle in choppy waters. If I was paddling lakes or
: wide rivers I would probably find myself in my Hound's Tooth. (Long, flat
: and thin) pictured below. (It is my own design).

: I have a medium volume standard fibreglass NDK explorer which is a handy
: benchmark for speed trials with home made boats. It is s tight fit though,
: even though it is rated a medium displacement kayak. The main advantage I
: find with DIY is that one can build the boat to fit. I am quite large and
: I find european boats are too cramped after years of paddling US designs.
: A couple of hours and I just want to get out. Comfort in the boat is the
: one thing that enables a paddler to plod on joyously mile after mile.
: Boats that are designed to perfom every maneuver and fit like a glove are
: fine for hacking about in, but for long journeys one needs some room to
: move around.

: The best thing one can do though is to grab the opportunity of paddling every
: boat that you get the opportunity to get out in. If you are on an outing
: swap boats for an hour with someone who is paddling an interesting looking
: design. If you have a DIY boat you will have loads of takers. If you have
: trouble getting your boat back you have a winning design.

: Most of us tend to keep building compulsively. Make every boat a different
: design and you will have a perfect boat for every occasion.

: Etienne

I am not a compulsive builder....if I say this alot maybe someone will belive me .

Bill H.