here's muh boat or canoe or kayak or whatever

[Scooter]

Or pirogue pronounced pea-row. Sorta a historically nearly correct representation of a canoe or an open topped kayak (which by definition is probably a canoe) used in some places at one time. Built outta 1/4 inch ply. But not everywhere.

Vague enough? Good! Here's pics.

[doug hodder]

Good looking craft...what's the length on it, and do you have a weight? Doug

[Scooter]

15'5" and weighed 42 lbs before applying most of two quart cans of Rustoleum...so I'm guessing about 48? It's epoxyed inside and out, with a layer of glass on the bottom and 3 inches up the sides.

Rustoleum? Well, it's available at Walmart 3 miles from my house and I kinda feel like oil based will be more durable than latex which is what alotta pirogue builders use.

[Juneaudave]

I like it!!! Home crafted is the best.....Never having been around one of these...do you use a single or a double paddle? and what kind of seat do you use...seems to me some of the single canoes use either a foam seat or wood that sits low for balance.

[doug hodder]

I'll bet it only draws like 1.5" of water, with a body in it, your design or plans? and what is the max load on it? ....oh oh...there go the gears!!!! I've been thinking about a folding one similar in design/shape, but my own thing....Doug

[madjack]

...down in the deep swamps, the old cajuns stand up in them and use a duck billed push pole...........

[Scooter]

This one closely follows Uncle John's pirogue plans with only minor changes. I'll be sitting on a 3 inch flotation cushion till I get the wood folding chair finished (designed specifically for UJ's priogue). Link for chair: http://www.unclejohns.com/boat/seat/default.htm

I'm trying both a single and a double paddle. Never paddled before! Got alot to learn! Will be launching last weekend of the month. Looking forward to it.

[doug hodder]

Jack...what if you're not an old Cajun...will it work for me? doug

[Scooter]

Some words about weight capacity and stability from UJ's website:

The stability of a pirogue is somewhere between a canoe and a kayak. My best suggestion is to read the comments made by builders which range from "Hey the boat works great, it took some getting use to, but I haven't tipped it over. (yet). " to "We didn't sink at 470lbs. It's comfortable with 350lbs. I built the 16ft version. ", "I am 6'1" and weigh about 235 lbs and the boat carries me without any difficulty. ", and, "My kids and their friends have been out in the boat many times now and they have never tipped it over". A lot of the feeling of stability comes with experience and depends upon the individual. The longer the boat the more stable it will be. Increasing length does not greatly increase weight, the boat shown on the main pirogue page is mine. It is 14' long and weighs 38 pounds, increasing the length to the maximum of 15'6" will only add a few pounds and still should be well under 50 pounds. You can also increase the width.

[madjack]

Jack...what if you're not an old Cajun...will it work for me? doug

Doug...how well it works for you depends on how good your balance is and your level of CC ...

[doug hodder]

Thanks Jack...I knew you would bring it down to reality.... Doug

[Juneaudave]

I'm still of the opinion...it makes one heck of a difference whether you tip one over in a catfish pond or Juneau, Alaska!!!!

[doug hodder]

Good point Dave...but if you tip one over in a catfish pond in La...the chances exist that you might just be a "gator snack"....I'd take a tip over in Juneau over that...despite the cold, just all the crap that would go through my mind... just don't go so far from shore Doug

[Juneaudave]

Good point Dave...but if you tip one over in a catfish pond in La...the chances exist that you might just be a "gator snack"....I'd take a tip over in Juneau over that...despite the cold, just all the crap that would go through my mind... just don't go so far from shore Doug

Hah..hah..hah...I gotta laugh...to tell the truth, I'm not much in favor of gators, water moccasins, chiggers, or cold water!!!



BTW...Scooter..that really is a nice craft, I'd love to try it out!!!...I sure didn't mean to hijack your thread. My family comes out of the hills from Rockwood, Tn and LBL in Ky., so I really do feel some kinship!

[Sam I am]

That's a nice looking craft!!
It looks like it would slip through the water like a racing scull!