Hello Again!!!

[FlaMike]

Hi!

I just wanted to pop on and make it known that I’m still on this planet and haven’t lost interest in boat building or fishing!

I initially dropped out of sight so I could get some progress made in my kitchen (and, it turns out, the whole house, ) remodeling project. Then, things got further complicated when my wife found herself unemployed, followed by some fairly serious health problems. She is doing fine now, well on her way towards a full recovery and her future now looks good, maybe even better than if she hadn’t come so close to being eyeball-to-eyeball with the Universal One-ness. (That’s always worked for me.)

Anywho, It will probably be a couple of months yet before I can start building again, with the Southwind 15-30 being first up, followed by the Freedom 15. (Got both plans and the wood , some of the epoxy & fg cloth, ready to go.)

I’ve been lurking on the Forums lately, in anticipation of getting the builds started, and , well. . . I just plain missed you guys!


Got some questions on the Southwind build, so I thought it toss them out and see what I can find out the easy way, rather than having to work it out “on the fly.”

Since the Southwind has a slight “V” bottom, would it be required to install something of a “seat platform” along the lines of what Mick showed in his Laker build? Or is that “V” shallow enough that it wouldn’t be needed? Currently, I plan on using the folding seats that I made for my UJ Pirogue, as I’ve found it to be very comfortable, having spent more than one full day perched on one of them. I’m sure I’ll have a better idea about this once the hull has taken shape, but I’d like to work out as many of the “challenges” before I actually get started. I can’t quite tell from the plans if that “V” is going to be something to be addressed, or not. I does seem to be pretty shallow, though.

Any insight on should I be thinking about a “HarryMick” platform for the seat or maybe an extended version for a cooler and milk crate? Or will I be able to leave out that extra weight?

Being the lazy sort that I am, I’ll be doing some cut-and-paste cross-posting on the other Forum, as well. I’ve been wanting to get back to building and talking with you guys for quite a while now. Already, I’m starting to feel better!

I’ve a few more questions, but I’ll put them in another post.

Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL

[jem]

The seat legs should span the V and/or gap without and problem. If you were just sitting on a cushion, then you'd need a platform of sorts.

[FlaMike]

Great, Matt!

I kind of thought (and was hoping,) that would be the case. The "V" looks to be fairly shallow on the plans.

Speaking of those plans, they are complete enough so that I doubt I'll have any other questions along those lines. Very nicely done!

Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL

[jem]

thanks.

git buildin!!

[hairymick]

G'day Mike, And welcome back mate!!

Real glad to here things are on the improve for you too.

I built a Chuck style seat base for my Southwind and put one of Matt's sit Backer seats on it. I love this seat. Very comfortable, and I can move it from kayak to kayak or canoe.

The Laker seat is also a beauty but is fixed in the boat. Either system should work well in your 15 -30 but I think I prefer the sitbacker combination. there is a little more work in it but you only have to do it once.

[FlaMike]

Mick!

Glad to have your "hands-on" input, as always!

On the subject of the South Wind 15-30, I been wanting to ask you about rudder pedals and foot braces.

From post I've read here, the foot braces from Duckworks can also be used for rudder pedals. Would you know if they are still functional as foot braces, if installed as rudder pedals?

I mean, if I decide to leave the rudder at home, can they be locked in position, or would I have to find a way to lock down the rudder control cables so the pedals wouldn't move?

Hmmm. . . The question makes sense to me, but then again, I know what I meant when I asked it. . .

Hope you can translate that.

If you recall, I decided that a rudder would be nice for fishing purposes, and really nice with a sailing rig. (True with both the South Wind and the Freedom.)

Mike S.

[FlaMike]

As usually happens, I've asked a question and then come upon the answer, afterwards.

I now better understand just how the Duckworks foot braces have been modified to work as rudder pedals, and they'll do both functions at the same time. (That was what I was worried about.)

I see they have a nice video showing how they look installed, and how they work, including being adjustable for pedal position, without messing up the rudder cable tension. Pretty darned good engineering!

Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL

[jem]

sha-wing!