JEM Watercraft

I've been looking at the discriptions of the Wadefish and Sabalo. I don't know much about kayaks and would like someone to tell me what the difference in function and handling of these two boats would be.
Thanks
RH.

G'day RH,

Wadefish was a custom order for me, that evolved from a custom order from someone else.

My intent with Wadefish, was for a high performance, downwind, semi planing hull to take advantage of our trade winds and following seas when paddling home from several miles off shore. To this end, I wanted a planing or semi-planing hull, tht lifted onto the plane quickly and easily to catch the following seas. To this end, I was prepared to sacrifice a little ease of paddling in flat water.

My son who is much younger (of course) and fitter than me "borrowed" my wadefish and I haven't seen it since.

I paddle warm tropical/sub-tropical waters and a dry ride was of no consequence to me.

As I understand things, Sabalo is a more traditional sit on top kayak, with a displacement hull. What this means, is that Sabalo should require less effort to maintain a very good cruising speed and should have greater stability and be a drier ride than Wadefish. I have neither built or paddled a Sabalo - yet but I really like the lines of the boat.

I think a lot depends on what you want to do with your boat, where you want to paddle and how far. I think the Cape Fear is also worthy of consideration. While perhaps not quite as paddle friendly as a Sabalo or Wadefish, I think it will offer a drier ride, superior stability and immense load capacity. I have allways liked this boat and have bought the plans for it, but Matt just keeps coming up with other designs that I want to build more.

Thanks for answering, sorry it took so long to come back, I was waiting for the admin. to hook me up.
Paddling ease and stability are important, mostly I'm concerned with handling boat wakes in fresh water, some of them fairly large. Will be paddling several miles.

Sorry I'm jumping in late.

Wadefish: faster, more sea worthy. 3rd generation of our SOT designs.

Sabalo: more stable, not quite as fast. Maybe a tad bit easier to assembly. 2nd generation of our SOT designs.

I live around the Kentucky Lake portion of the Tenn. River and we have everything from barge traffic to your normal assortment of cabin cruisers, PWC's, bass boats, house boats etc. The impoundment is a couple of miles wide in a lot of spots(of course the best fishing is always on the other side!! ). From what I'm reading any of the three SOTs you offer would probably do the trick?

They would.

The absolute worse thing about building your own boat is nothing more then making the decision on which one to build.

When you pass over that hurdle then all of the rest comes really easy , along with the fun of using your hand crafted ( custom made by you ) water craft.

Chuck.

After much thought I've decided I have a use for one of each and two of some.....but two of which ones ?
I've ordered the bookcase plans, then an UJ pirogue, then a kayak for the big river.

That sounds like a very good plan mate.

I wish I had been smart enough to do that when I started.

One observation, If I may,

I am guessing that a SOT is still your main objective? In particular a Jem SOT.

UJ pirogues are very good boats and there are a lot of very happy builderrs who have them.

Having said that, the build methodology is very different to a Jem boat, as are the techniques used. If you are planning on building a JEM SOT, I would recommend you build one of Matt's superb pirogues, just for a bit more experience working to Matt's methods.

Just a suggestion. As I said, Uncle John's pirogue is a great boat but a very different build and unless you particularly want this boat, there is very little to be gained from building it. (apart from the boat itself)

I have built Matt's boats and I have built 5 of the Uncle Johns pirogues , I cut my teeth on them and then convinced Matt into designing a few boats for my use , the Freedom and the Swamp Girl.
No matter which way you decide to go it is a Win -Win Situation. The idea is to build a boat like the UJ Pirogue ( a easy boat to build and a education in wood boat building) for your enjoyment and then ( you will ) evolve from there to more sophisticated designs.

Wood boats are like potato chips , Ya just can't stop after one.

Chuck.