My Long Shot has been a test bed for new ideas and has been heavily used. I have modified and reskinned it at least twice. No idea how many miles I have paddled it but I know it has been a lot! This was the first Long Shot, the prototype boat and it has some issues that were addressed later on.

Mine decided it liked the water inside better than the on the outside recently. Finding a mysterious cut in the skin I decided to act on an idea I have had for a while now. Rather than just repair the skin, I decided to modify it once again, a makeover if you will.

I have removed the rigging, cut the skin open and peeled it off to expose the frame.

I knew I had frame that was weak. I had seen it flex when I strapped down the boat. But, I had no idea it had completely failed! Between the skin and lashing it was holding it together quite well.

I don't know for sure what caused the failure but I suspect it was the plywood. I used Douglas Fir marine plywood for a long time but the quality just kept getting worse and worse. I now use Baltic Birch for the frames. Much better quality and no doubt much stronger too.

Seeing that he frame over all was in good shape and with further other major surprises I set about step two. The repairs and conversion. I have thought about this for a long time. The one boat I have never built for myself that I really want is Baidarka. Problem is I have so many boats I really don't need another one. I got thinking, I love this hull design and if I replaced a few frames this is what she will look like when done. Not the color, but the style.

It will not have near as much rocker in the front as a traditional Baidarka, but since I paddle flat water and don't surf with it I think I prefer it that way.