I wouldn't mind hearing how it handles waves, too. I've been researching (and overthinking) the raked/plumb bow controversy for a while. Your Sea Cruiser R looks like it's different enough from my upcoming Sea Tour 15 EXP (especially with the mahogany/weight) to introduce too many variables for a direct comparison, but I'd still like to hear your impressions.

I'd rather sort through too much data than not enough...

: Hi Mark

: In a way the blunt bow plate shape and the near vertical stern
: plate happened by accident. Because I did not have any long
: stock for the gunwales, chines and keel (I was using old
: mahogany/meranti window frames) I used butted joints. I was
: anxious to see how the long strips came together so I did a
: trial taping together without shortening the chines too much. I
: was then keen to try my new pull saw (never used one before) so
: did some practise compound angle cuts and trial fitted the
: unshaped bow and stern plates. The resulting shape looked OK so
: I stuck with it. I'm not sure if that was a good idea but it
: saved some heart ache shortening the chines and keel and cutting
: new compound angles. It has had the effect of lengthening the
: waterline a bit and maybe the bow will tend to cut through waves
: rather than rising over them? Only time will tell - so far I've
: only had the short launching paddle. However, tomorrow I should
: finish a suitable trolly for transporting down to the beach so
: hopefully will get a better feel for her handling towards the
: end of this week.

: It would be good to hear your views and those of anyone else who
: would care to comment.

: I have put some photos of the construction phase here :-

:
: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=42445&id=100000543840495&l=10b21e48f4

: Some more photos of the launching paddle are here - but I don't
: think they give any indication as to how the kayak performs.

:
: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=42432&id=100000543840495&l=7b9dd5e4a4

: The kayak is somewhat heavy at 26Kg (58lbs) but the mahogany is
: about twice as heavy as cedar or other, more normal, kayak
: timber.

: Cheers
: TomR