We took a moment yesterday to float test this older 187 lb size F1. The frame for this kayak was originally built for a customer that I decided to put in a different size, then sat in storage for a couple years. Last week I got an email from someone that it seemed like it would be a good fit for so we decided to skin it as rig it, making us the fastest custom turnaround we’ve ever done. (Right now our wait on a custom build is somewhere between six months and never.).
The customer is slightly heavier than the target weight but this is mostly going to be a day boat so the half size smaller works out well. (The F1 is available in seven different sizes, and 10 different sizes if you include half sizes). Tom, here is the exact same weight as the customer and the kayak is sitting about a quarter inch deeper in the bow than I currently target. 1/8 of this has to do with the fact that this is an older version with a slightly different trim, and the other 1/8 that this is a dried out frame and did not collapse partially in the way that we plan which normally slightly shifts the volume. This would bother me surfing big ocean waves, but for general use the kayaking, it probably actually improves speed and edge turn maneuverability.
Skinned weight is 29.4 lbs, 33 lbs fully rigged. It’s possible to build this kayak about 4 pounds lighter but only at the cost of a dramatic reduction in service life. My standard framing will last 15 years or more. Skin life depends on use and is replaceable.
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