This frame is making me work really hard not to increase the weight or the complexity of the build. There’s just something magic about a 30 pound kayak, so I try to keep my base models in that range. That way if someone has to build one of these out of something heavier than western red cedar or wants to put a heavy skin on it the finished product isn’t heavier than 35 pounds.
I’ve added an extra rib to each end to strengthen the framework for the forces of sailing and possibly a rudder, and I want to change the bow shape to a longer gentler curve, which immediately bumps that stem up by 4 ounces. I drilled a bunch of holes in the stems to try to get the weight back down but honestly that’s a pretty stupid idea so I’m gonna have to build new ones and just live with the penalty.
I’m also experimenting with a different secondary stringer configuration that would add 8 ounces to the boat but also significant extra stability which is never a bad thing when you’re honking downwind with 30 knots at your back.
So right away we are already a pound heavier, and that’s before adding reinforcement to the catamaran location or the weight of the heavier deck stringers. I can save 11 ounces by omitting the aft deck stringers, but that’s really the only wiggle room that I have here. It seems inevitable that we are going to gain a pound with this version, I’m just hoping it’s not more than that. My goal here it’s to keep the overall package below 35 pounds with the sail installed. that doesn’t include the rudder though, which I’m hoping I’m not gonna need.
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