Will,

_X_ Quit worrying, just build the Mystery

And then if you still have the desire to design/build, go for it. You will have a great boat to paddle while working on the new design, you will have a better understanding of what you want in a new design, and you will have a great boat to paddle while building the new design.

Sam

: How crazy would it be to design my own kayak?
: I've been paddling a Great Auk (17’ 23”) for 5 years, smooth
: Southern Cal coastal waters, mostly point to point. Love it,
: good average speed, strong paddler (for an old guy).

: What I would like to build next is a 20' 20" wide, swedeform,
: but not a surfski. I paddle hard. Last weekend I paddled into at
: least a 20-25 knot headwind, made steady progress for more than
: an hour, and could've done more but Palos Verdes was in the way.
: So I think whatever extra drag a 20'er might have won't be a
: problem. I'd go 22' and 18" but that's too far out there.
: I’m hoping I can gain a full knot over my GreatAuk.

: Plans--there don’t seem to be any that quite fit the bill. Maybe
: I missed something. Nick’s Mystery is clearly the closest
: option. (I don't need to follow race rules. What might the
: Mystery Pirate be like? 22' ? )

: I've made a design with Kayakfoundry (but I had to turn in my PC)
: so now I'm fiddling with BearBoatSP on my Mac, or I can put the
: KFoundry files into a CAD app.
: steep bow, swedeform 11' wide point, draft 4", steep stern.
: I am willing to spend a couple of months and risk $1000 and wind up
: with a floating educational experience.
: I can't see any serious downside except getting 1. non-optimal
: stability 2. a little too much drag (my Auk weighs 75 lbs--I
: don't think I could do that again if I replaced western cedar
: with bricks), 3. difficult to turn (I'm a rudder-boy anyway).
: So my question is: Just how risky would it be to design my own
: boat?

: Or just vote:
: ___ Go ahead, good luck
: ___ Quit worrying, just build the Mystery

: Thanks for reading, and any advice.
: Will