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#1 Squatch

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Posted 19 January 2018 - 08:45 PM

Is anyone here using an ultralight pack canoe. I have a decent solo boat. But the idea of a 12' solo that weighs less than 20lbs and could be thrown on the camper roof rack is appealing for travels.

 

I've been wanting to try one of these for years! 15 lbs for a 12' canoe!!!

http://www.hornbeckb...oats_bjc_12.php

I'll probably be going back to Vermont this spring, I might have to stop in at Hornbeck. The Blackjack is impressive but their classic 13 fishing set up is probably a better fit for me. It's heavy though at 22lbs! Ha Ha Half the weight of my plastic solo 13'er.

http://www.hornbeckb...tom_fishing.php

 

Couple more companies that offer similar stuff.

http://northstarcanoes.com/

 

http://placidboatworks.com/

 

http://www.swiftcanoe.com/pack-boat

 

 

 


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#2 Wandering Sagebrush

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Posted 19 January 2018 - 08:56 PM

I built an Iain Oughtred Wee Rob 12 ‘ double paddle canoe. Even with oak in the keels and stems, it came in at less than 30 pounds. You might think about building, and I’m sure you could shave at least 5 pounds off my total.

 

It's a glued lapstrake boat.  I used 4mm Okume plywood for the strakes.

 

 

28075657351_f183704270_b.jpg


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#3 takesiteasy

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Posted 19 January 2018 - 11:27 PM

Here's another build-it option- I've built several of these skin-on-frame wee lassie canoes. They're 12 feet long and weigh about 20 pounds. They are much stronger than they look- skin is ballistic nylon water-proofed with a 2-part polyurethane coating that stays flexible. Makes a very tough skin. Super easy to toss on the truck, portage and paddle.

 

wee%2Blassie.jpg


Edited by takesiteasy, 19 January 2018 - 11:31 PM.

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#4 Squatch

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Posted 20 January 2018 - 07:04 AM

Nice Boats! I have actually helped build a couple of strippers. But never built one myself. Though I've kinda planned on doing it for years. If I do it'll probably be this one.

http://www.greenval.com/kite.html

 

The main problem here is that the local rivers I float and fish are rocky and not kind to composite boats. Plastic rules in these parts for durability. So it would probably be limited to quiet flat water.


Edited by Squatch, 20 January 2018 - 07:06 AM.

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#5 Squatch

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Posted 20 January 2018 - 07:25 AM

Here's another build-it option- I've built several of these skin-on-frame wee lassie canoes. They're 12 feet long and weigh about 20 pounds. They are much stronger than they look- skin is ballistic nylon water-proofed with a 2-part polyurethane coating that stays flexible. Makes a very tough skin. Super easy to toss on the truck, portage and paddle.

 

wee%2Blassie.jpg

Is that a geodesic airolite?


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#6 Wandering Sagebrush

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Posted 20 January 2018 - 01:58 PM

Nice Boats! I have actually helped build a couple of strippers. But never built one myself. Though I've kinda planned on doing it for years. If I do it'll probably be this one.
http://www.greenval.com/kite.html
 
The main problem here is that the local rivers I float and fish are rocky and not kind to composite boats. Plastic rules in these parts for durability. So it would probably be limited to quiet flat water.

The Kite is a stunningly beautiful canoe... It looks a bit tricky to build with all that tumble home.

863712DD-CF9E-4152-8E3E-B2AC8D51EBB9.jpeg
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#7 takesiteasy

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Posted 20 January 2018 - 02:34 PM

Is that a geodesic airolite?

 

No, but uses the same construction concept. Boat is based on the classic Rushton Wee Lassie design. Some differences from the airolite system- we use nylon instead of Dacron for the skin, we don't use the kevlar roving (found it's not needed), all joints are lashed in the traditional style or riveted, we use a 2 part poly skin coating.

 

We do take the boats into the BWCA wilderness with no worries. Cuts are easily patched in the field with tape, although we have never had to patch one. The skin will wear over time with scrubbing on sand or rocks. It can be renewed if neccesary. But, as you say, probably not the best choice for rocky, shallow, fast-moving streams (although I'd be willing to try). :)

 

I volunteer at a small non-profit in the Twin Cities where we build boats with high school apprentices as a work readiness program. We do lapstrake designs as well as the skin-on-frame boats. The boats are sold to help fund the program. 

 

http://urbanboatbuilders.org/


Edited by takesiteasy, 20 January 2018 - 02:34 PM.

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#8 Squatch

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Posted 21 January 2018 - 01:33 AM

Great stuff. I've seen several varieties of this concept. Including several that were covered in Kevlar and epoxy.

 

Kudo's to you on the program.


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#9 Squatch

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Posted 22 January 2018 - 06:51 AM

I've been doing some reading on the skin on frame boats. Very interesting. Kudzu boats has a video of him beating the skin with a hammer and such to prove how durable the skin is. Impressive!


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#10 takesiteasy

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Posted 22 January 2018 - 02:01 PM

I've been doing some reading on the skin on frame boats. Very interesting. Kudzu boats has a video of him beating the skin with a hammer and such to prove how durable the skin is. Impressive!

 

There are some YouTube videos of people really abusing them on purpose to show their strength. The fragile looks are deceptive. Here's one example:

 


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