TexasKayakFisherman.com

After a little over a year, doing another one....My 11th SOF...
Another fishing boat, only this is for a 265 lb. person.....

I am tweaking the plans I used for mine, increasing the beam by 14% about 4'' from 27'' to 31''

These Stitch and Glue plans have offsets for 5 forms...
The gunwale, I am moving, creating a tumblehome side..

Moving right along....This boat is for a friend ho is in his 70's and has one of those 12' plastic Bass Pro tuperware boats....So I made up my mind to build him a real one. Even one he can take his little dog.....

I decided since he doesn't have a place to store it at home, but maybe in his store in his work area hoisted to the ceiling.....
http://www.whisperin...radingpost.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I am making it like a canoe. Could even be a tandem if removable seats are incorporated....

Progress...Mapping out 2 forms in the 4' space for and aft of the center form is a challenge..

Very Cool! I keep thinking I will build one of these some day...

Awoodman
You are doing some pretty work .
SOF is one building process I havent tried , never even paddled one. Wish you were closer I would love to try one.
Ron

Thanks guys....I try to turn these local paddlers here on to it, they paddle those Tupperware boats some are in the $2000 + price range....

Anyway, ....progress....
The rudder assembly is removable..The way it works, you move the lever to the direction you want to turn..

similar to my other boat..

Yesterday I coated the frame with Linseed Oil....
These pics. turned out a little different, with the shadow of the frame.....

The fabric is in transit from Kudzu craft...Going with the heavier stuff this time...
POLYESTER 11.6 oz. plain weave * 77" wide
http://www.kudzucraft.net/Boat-Building ... -for-skin/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The skin came in thursday, the 11.6oz heavy stuff i have been using the 8 oz on all my other boats.. This fabric is tough, you can pull the thread really tight and it doesn't separate the weave..
This time doing a different stitch, the double corded stitch.....

What ever fabric is used, the hands get tired from pulling and tugging to get wrinkles out...... I posted a how to video, one of many Jeff has made...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcvxrXV ... h6PBN3n0ow" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I like this fabric, ought to be real tough, abrasive resistant....

Beautiful job! How does the cloth hold up to oyster shell? Would a wood skin add to much weight? Very nice ride regardless.

The Challenger XL SOF Fishing Boat.....

interested on your feedback on that foot steering setup as opposed hand control, and again very nice work , love that cockpit size, gives SOF a totally different spin.

MM

Getting ready for 3 week road/river and coastal trip, White river Arkansas, Sail Oklahoma on Lake Eufaula then back to the Ply/ wooden boat show in Port Aransas TX, some fun times ahead.

MM , I simplified the pulleys, the switch back created to much drag.... Added some screen door pulleys...

But on my other boat I have fished it for 2 years now, and I wouldn't do without a rudder in a fishing kayak...It really frees up your hands for more casting rather than fight the wind-constantly correcting the drift with a paddle...

My 265 lb. friend in the boat on Table Rock Lake last week.....

Very nice. I love the light weight of those.
The SOF kayaks seem very breakable to me. (If it can be broken, I can do it)
Does the skin break easily? What kinds of things does a user have to watch for with these?

btw.. Love the dog!

Beaching on concrete launch ramps is a no-no, rub strips over the keel stringer will help...
I use polyester fabric and submerged timber isn't a problem, excessive wear happens over the stringers... but there is enough flex in the fabric and abrasion resistance, these boats will last for years if not abused...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Xb_21OLjHE" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWLI5rwZijc" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYyvIExWkqU" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

OMG!!!!

I can't believe that guy jumped on that kayak!!

Okay. Point made. The SOF kayak is VERY DURABLE!!

How difficult are these to make relative to a S&G kayak?

Last question. Where do you source your plans?

Thanks.
Tom

How does Canvas compare for durability? I have a buddy offering me a SoF boat, but with a canvas skin. Will it hold up to casual oyster shells? Not full on abuse, but you can't paddle saltwater around g-bay and not hit oyster every now and again...