So last weekend I took out my new Nikumi for a few hours. Hopefully I'll get a picture or two uploaded later today. Here are my first impressions:

Tom recommends some beefy parts for his boats, which I'm sure is a good idea, but I don't like heavy boats. As a result I cut the size of all components except the "ribs" which I still used 1/2" plywood. My keel is 5/8" by 1" as are my gunwales and deck stringer is 5/8" by 3/4". All chines are 5/8" by 5/8". I was going to go 1/2" by 1/2" for the chines, but the wood was already dimensioned at 5/8 so I just ripped to match. I also removed the 8th cross-section as I didn't think it necessary for completing the shape of the boat and left the length at approximately 16 1/2 feet so I wouldn't have to scarf any extra length into the chines. (Helped reduce my build time and cost.)

I used the 20 gauge clear vinyl, which I'll cut back to 12 or 16 next time I need to purchase some. The 20 gauge is quite durable, and for my needs much stronger (and heavier) than necessary. The clear does look very cool though... even though I got sunburned through the boat... something to consider for the future.

The build took about 15 hours initially (plus 2 hours time to transfer offsets to my forms) which is much less than Tom's estimated build time. I used his great suggestion of a sewing hoop as my cockpit coaming and will fix it in place before my next outing. I made my maiden paddle with it "loose" so I could play with location a bit and figure out what I wanted as a permanent cockpit. The 18" diameter hoop is perfect and I will be glassing up an "outer" riser with a lip on it that will be sewn to the inner riser. Much easier design than other options, and I like a smaller coaming. Great idea, Tom!

I think I came in a bit lighter as a result of my modifications but haven't weighed the boat yet. Either way, it's heavier than I expected. I have an S&G CLC Northbay that only weighs in at about 45 pounds versus nearly 30 (I'm estimating) for the Nikumi. I think in future I may remove the middle chine if I build another, and see how that works out.

After a test fit on Saturday, I brought the boat back into the shop for some modifications that took another couple of hours. I lightened up the bow piece with a hole similar to the stern "lightening hole" and a couple of other smaller drilled out holes. I wanted to cut another large section out of it, but couldn't get the saw in place to easily do so without cutting the chines back further than I wanted.

Once I got the modifications made, I took the boat out Sunday for her maiden paddle along the Potomac. We paddled about 6.5 miles over about 3 hours. A nice leisurely pace. I really like the boat. It turns on a dime and paddles smoothly. The rocker helps the turning quite a bit and she really responds to leans. And she's fast. I did have quite a bit of weathercocking, which I was surprised about, but it didn't take too much effort to compensate with paddling.

Overall, fun boat. Quick to build and a good paddle. My next one I'll make a few more modifications, but this will suffice for now, while I'm finishing the re-deck of my Northbay.

As I said, pics up hopefully today.

FrankP