John Day river trip, 2nd day on the river. In the last post I described the mile long rapid called Clarno, including the most consequential portion called lower Clarno. I’ve run this once in a (specially-designed) skin on frame kayak at 4000 CFS, which was fairly uneventful, and once at 2000 CFS in skin...
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Video: John Day River trip, 2nd day on the river
John Day River Trip, 2nd day on the river. FYI, there’s music. The Clarno to Cottonwood stretch of the John Day river is guarded by a mile long rapid called Clarno. Like most rapids, it’s fast with powerful holes at high water and bony with numerous pin spots at low water. I haven’t run...
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Video: John Day River trip, 1st day on the river
John Day River Trip, 1st day on the water. As usual there’s music if you’re into that. The 70 mile popular section of the John Day river between Clarno and Cottonwood cuts through a deep desert canyon. To limit river traffic, the BLM has instituted a permit system which I am very supportive of....
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John Day River Trip, Post 2
John Day River Trip, Post 2. While I try to summon the courage to start working on the 20 hours of video we shot, here’s a few more pictures from the trip. I’ll spend more time going into detail on the video posts but basically the point of this trip was to push last...
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John Day River Trip, Post 1
John Day River Trip, Post 1 We just spent a week on the John Day River testing last year’s solo nesting canoes. These sorts of trips are pretty brutal for me because of my medical issues, so if we could forgo the “Good to see you on the water looking so healthy!” comments, it...
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Video: Testing the light sail rig on the canoe catamaran
Had the light sail rig (carbon masts and rip stop sails) out for some testing last night on the canoe catamaran. I was definitely cringing when a couple of the gusts approached 20 but so far neither of the carbon fiber masts have snapped. 5 mph in roughly 10mph of wind ain’t bad performance...
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Video: Another clip from Sunday evening on the water.
Another clip from Sunday evening on the water. Full details in previous post. I like the sound on this one....
Video: Testing the new canoe catamaran, oar, and sail rigs
Tested the new canoe catamaran, oar, and sail rigs on the river last night. It’s very easy for canoe rigs to become unusable contraptions so I’m pleased that this whole setup felt tight and clean on the water. I got the idea for the new catamaran boards from Uwe, who built a couple of...
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The perfect board
One of the worst things that you can have in any woodshop is a perfect board. Having bought it in a fit of lust it then sits for years in the corner stoically taunting you with its perfectly straight clear grain that is simply too perfect for any project you happen to be working...
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Video: Largest of the triple nesting canoe set, Day 1
Back to building canoes. At 15‘6“ long 32 1/2” wide and 13” deep, this final addition to my triple nesting canoe set is less of a canoe that I actually want or need for anything and more of just a weird experiment that if nothing else will protect my other two canoes from UV...
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New canoe catamaran system
The catamaran system for the new canoes is simple, effective, and stores out of the way as floorboards when not in use....
Another shot, working on the motor mount
Another shot, working on the motor mount on the new catamaran outriggers. All the accessories for the canoes have been evolving to become really solid solutions. Of course, just as many have been thrown out completely. Starting the final hull design later this week....
Two-canoe catamaran with sail rig
Two-canoe catamaran with sail rig. I’ve made some adjustments that make for a much stronger and more versatile catamaran system to tie two canoes together quickly. Dropping a new video update on the canoe design progress this week, covering this and other modifications. As always, lots in the works, but it’s good to be...
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Working on a new mount for an electric kayak motor
Working on a new mount for an electric kayak motor. I’ve been testing the Bixpy Jet on both the solo and catamaraned canoes. I can’t paddle as much as I’d like to due to ongoing health issues, and that’s made it important to me to explore options that might help people get out on...
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Back to canoes. Working on refining flotation, catamaran and seat options
Back to canoes. Working on refining flotation, catamaran and seat options before heading back into the shop for a final refinement on the overall shaping....