Which one to choose?

Merlin · Post by **Merlin** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 4:05 pm

Hey all,

New here and just can't figure which on of several to choose from.

I really like the looks and Vbottom of the Okwata, but also the profile of the Freedom 15, and Laker 15.

What would the difference be between the laker 15 and freedom 15, the specs seem so close.

I've read almost all of the builds on the laker and TV from Mick and TXRiverrat. Y'alls boats are awesome!

Built one 12 ft stitch&glue (V12), so construction isn't a problem..

Uses: Probably largest pond will be about 400 acres. numerous other smaller ponds. Maybe Lake Conroe, if I'm comfortable.

5'7", 190 lbs.. Also, would be looking to build three small lakers or freedoms for the kids and wife.

Thanks for reading and helping,
Billy
Texas

Oldsparkey · Post by **Oldsparkey** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 4:48 pm

I know this will not help you but the best way to choose is which one do you like the looks of the best and for the use you want it for. Only you know what you want the boat to do.

Which ever one it is the wife will probably claim it as hers or one of the kids. It took several before I had one I could actually call my own.

Matt is the one for the specks on the different boats but they are all great boats to build and offer a world of fun. For me the fun is both in building them and then using them , some folks tell me I have more fun making them.

Chuck.

Post by **jem** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 4:54 pm

Freedom is what I'd call a recreational/camping/fishing kayak. More about stability and gear hauling.

Laker is more along the lines of a light touring kayak. Narrower with a less full hull at the ends. She's nimble and quicker than the Freedom. But I wouldn't use a Laker for fishing regularly. It would do fine to go out and soak the occasional worm. But it you were moving around to bait and swap tackle often, Freedom would do better for fishing, in my opinion, because it's more stable.

I try and design for specific weight ranges. Use those to help size up what you'll need.

Hope that helps!!

Merlin · Post by **Merlin** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 5:10 pm

Chuck, JEM,

Thanks. I think there is as much enjoyment seeing it take shape as well. Obviously I have a screw loose?

Probably won't fish much, more just lake/pond exploring, with maybe a bayou or river day trip once in a blue moon.

The rowboat I built gets passed up like I'm sitting still by just about everything. Would be nice to feel like I was moving.

As you may have noticed, I don't have any experience using a kayak. Have used canoes and rafts on some mild white water, but never a yak.

By the way, I haven't been able to get the free laker plans email thing to work, and I've checked my spam folders, too. Am I missing something?

Thanks,
Billy

Oldsparkey · Post by **Oldsparkey** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 8:06 pm

The Freedom is a easy paddling boat , it can be paddled with a single paddle or a double (Kayak) paddle. As Matt said lots of stability in it and the more you have in it (camping gear ) the less it cares. If you have nothing in it but you , all the better , it still does what is expected from it without complaining.
The trial camping trip run for the Freedom , before they were made available on Matt's web site.
http://www.neilbank.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=3158

I have used one on lakes , rivers and out in the Gulf of Mexico and it just got me where I wanted to go without any problems , calm waters to 3 foot waves.

I have not made or paddled a Laker but from what the guys have said ... it is a faster boat which would mean it is a easier paddling one , less effort but I never worked up a sweat in the freedom , I never get in a hurry either. If anything I have been accused of doing just the opposite and rightfully so.

A couple of the guy's ( as soon as they wake up from there naps ) can give you more information on the two of them .. Tx river rat and Mick have made and paddled both.

This may not help you to decide on what you want but later down the road , since you like canoes......... I just made this one and have not paddled it ...YET.
viewtopic.php?t=2433

If the Hurricanes , Tropical storms would leave us alone so the water could go down then I could try her out. No sense in trying a boat out when the rivers are way over there banks and into the woods. Normal water is 3 to 6 feet , right now over 30 and flowing really fast threw the woods with no dry place to camp.

Chuck.

tx river rat · Post by **tx river rat** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 9:03 pm

Merlin
I have built the Freedom 15 A sweet boat stable reasonably fast and handles rough water well.
Laker 13 A good play boat or short run boat fast easy handling and easy hauling you have to sit low in this boat and for long trips is not real comfortable to me for long periods.
T-V Brazos Queen Now folks this is a paddling dream fastest of the three stable as a rock floats shallow just like the Freedom, On Jack an my river trip had my 215 lbs plus at least that much in gear and she never knew she was loaded. This boat is a winner from start to finish.
And last but not least the Cuda aka Laker 15 5 A I will start of with this statement when I grab a yak out of the shed for anything but a week long trip this is the one I grab, She is fast , I mean fast so easy to paddle
just paddling easy most folks are humping to stay close to you.Stability is just the right mix I never feel out of control or tipsy, handles wind great
all I can say is so far this is the ultimate boat for me. In my opion this boat is a full step ahead of any other yak I have paddled.
You live in the woodlands little over a hundred miles from me , I will make you a great deal come up some weekend bring the folks if you want and paddle all my boats see which one you like.
Ron

Post by **jem** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 9:16 pm

Billy,

I'd say if you plan on building multi boats anyway, build the free Laker Plans.

Here's the links:

http://www.jemwatercraft.com/FreePlans/LakerA03-08.pdf
http://www.jemwatercraft.com/FreePlans/LakerB03-08.pdf

She how she handles. I'm betting your kids will love it.

Then you can decide which one you want to build next.

Merlin · Post by **Merlin** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 10:28 pm

Thanks everyone.

I've only done the canoe thing a few times, a long time ago. Most of my time has been in my V12, without the sail. Haven't built those parts yet.

Just a newbie when it comes to yaks, probably any of them would be fast for what I'm used to, but that sure does give me a lot to consider.

Probably am more of a builder than a paddler, just can't help it. The wife would have me committed, though, if my garage started filling up with too many (more than 1)!

Ron, thanks for the offer, but we just don't get away as much as we used to. If it works out sometime, I'll get in touch with you.

Thanks for all the pointers, and for the links.

Billy

hairymick · Post by **hairymick** » Fri Sep 05, 2008 3:20 am

G'day Billy, and welcome aboard mate!

I can't comment on the Freedom but I reckon she would make a great all round boat.

I built the prototype Laker and my wife liked it so much she asked me to build her one. Now, Robin is a VERY fussy paddler. She simply can not tolerate a boat that doesn't paddle well. She loves her Laker as much as I love mine.

These are our go to kayaks - the ones we choose to paddle most of the time and we have a shed full of very good boats. At 200 pounds I am probably at the upper end of the weight range for the Laker 13. But this suits me just fine. I fish from all of my boats and I find that the Laker sitting low in the water minimises wind drift when I am casting lures at structure.

I have paddled my Laker in small surf and in probably grade 2 rapids. She is well up to this in the hands of a reasonably experienced paddler.
Calm water, ponds and lakes - no problem. Laker is so good in this environment, I reckon she will set the standard by which all other stitch and glue kayaks are judged. She is way too good, in my opinion, to be available as free plans. I have voiced this opinion long and loud before, but no-body listens. #%$$#@!

Build the free Laker first. If you don't love this boat, I will refund your plans purchase price no questions asked.

Matt's "V" bottom pirogue? with a tumblehome panel (TV) is sort of like a big Laker. It is a little wider and significantly bigger. I am building one as we speak. I love the lines of this boat and Ron tells me it paddles a dream. I believe him and am looking forward to paddling this one.

It is in the email plans section and at the price, I would think it is the next best bargain on the site.

tx river rat · Post by **tx river rat** » Fri Sep 05, 2008 10:16 am

Merlin
I guess I left a wrong impression , going back over my post I see I need to explain a couple things. The Laker 13 is as Mick described , the problem with sitting low is a personal one, After a couple years in
the sunny vacation land of Nam and a few years rodeoing ridding bulls some parts need babying a little more than most folks. She is a good little boat.
Any boat on this list will do a great job find one you like the looks of and build it ,you ant regret any choice u make.
If you have just paddled a canoe this will be a treat for you , kayaks like Matt designs have a whole different feel and handle wind sooooooooooo
much better.
Ron