Thoughts on JEM kayaks?
Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2016 10:23 am
I noticed several Jem builds here in the past, so I figured I would post in this great forum for any tips.
I will be at a relatives house for the month of June helping with post surgery care. I will have a garage at my disposal, so I figured I would build a kayak. My plan would be to cut out most of the parts prior to my trip and transport the strongback and parts in my truck.
I am looking for a recommendation for a SOT kayak for fishing. I currently fish out of a Jackson big tuna in solo configuration and sight seeing in tandem. I fish the creeks and flats off the ICW primarily north of St. Augustine Florida. Lots of shallow water with oysters! I travel the ICW to get to the creeks, so boat wakes are a reality, but I don't fish off the beach. I primarily target reds in the shallows or trout around the docks. Our tidal drop is around 5 feet most days.
I am in my mid 50's ( 5-10, 210ish ) and balance is not as good as it once was, or so the song goes, and stability is important. I prefer a slightly square stern for throwing it in the truck bed (with bed extender) and would probably shorten a 15' a foot or so. The idea of building in a Hobie drive well is intriguing to have as an option. I would like to build the kayak as lite as possible.
I built a small V hull and strip canoe in my 20's and have good wood working skills and have made a lot of furniture involving complex glue ups and joinery.
For those familiar with the JEM designs, do you have a recommendation based on my criteria? Thanks in advance for any advise. A wadefish 32 shortened by a foot or so is my inclination.
Thanks for any help
Tim
I will be at a relatives house for the month of June helping with post surgery care. I will have a garage at my disposal, so I figured I would build a kayak. My plan would be to cut out most of the parts prior to my trip and transport the strongback and parts in my truck.
I am looking for a recommendation for a SOT kayak for fishing. I currently fish out of a Jackson big tuna in solo configuration and sight seeing in tandem. I fish the creeks and flats off the ICW primarily north of St. Augustine Florida. Lots of shallow water with oysters! I travel the ICW to get to the creeks, so boat wakes are a reality, but I don't fish off the beach. I primarily target reds in the shallows or trout around the docks. Our tidal drop is around 5 feet most days.
I am in my mid 50's ( 5-10, 210ish ) and balance is not as good as it once was, or so the song goes, and stability is important. I prefer a slightly square stern for throwing it in the truck bed (with bed extender) and would probably shorten a 15' a foot or so. The idea of building in a Hobie drive well is intriguing to have as an option. I would like to build the kayak as lite as possible.
I built a small V hull and strip canoe in my 20's and have good wood working skills and have made a lot of furniture involving complex glue ups and joinery.
For those familiar with the JEM designs, do you have a recommendation based on my criteria? Thanks in advance for any advise. A wadefish 32 shortened by a foot or so is my inclination.
Thanks for any help
Tim