Cape Fear Questions

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cablerunners
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Location: Portland, Oregon

Cape Fear Questions

Post by cablerunners »

Hi All,

Well, I've got the itch to build my own kayak.

I'm looking for one that is like a cross between a kayak and canoe, large cockpit and sits low for stability.

I'd like to take my grand daughter out with me (she's 2) and also use the boat for fishing.

So I've been looking at the Cape Fear and have some questions.

1. Do you think there's enough room for a 5'9" guy and a youngster (like 2 to 6 year old) to sit in front of him in the boat? I'm thinking of a removable seat for my grand daughter.

2. I'm used to bracing myself in the boat with my knees against the side/top and footpads. Is this the same with the Cape Fear?

3. The description says you can add an optional rudder... Is this the type You can stear with foot pads?

4. This is kinda off the wall, but do you think I could build a sorta cover that would enclose the cockpit and allow a skirt to be used for days with say wind waves.

5. Is there some pictures of the finished boat somewhere?

Sorry, I know this is alot to ask on my first post.

Thanks in Advance... :D

-phil
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jem
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Post by jem »

cablerunners wrote:]1. Do you think there's enough room for a 5'9" guy and a youngster (like 2 to 6 year old) to sit in front of him in the boat? I'm thinking of a removable seat for my grand daughter.
Plenty of room.
="cablerunners"]2. I'm used to bracing myself in the boat with my knees against the side/top and footpads. Is this the same with the Cape Fear?
The Cape Fear has an open top so bracing with your knees will be an issue. See my answer to #4.
cablerunners wrote:]3. The description says you can add an optional rudder... Is this the type You can stear with foot pads?
You can install any type rudder you'd like. The flat transom helps make the install easier.
cablerunners wrote:4. This is kinda off the wall, but do you think I could build a sorta cover that would enclose the cockpit and allow a skirt to be used for days with say wind waves.
Certainly possible. I can help with that if needed.
cablerunners wrote:]5. Is there some pictures of the finished boat somewhere?
There's pics of the SOT version and one sit-inside version is in process here: viewtopic.php?t=2212&start=0
-Matt. Designer.
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hairymick
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Post by hairymick »

G'day Phill, and welcome aboard mate. :D

I haven't built or paddled a Cape Fear yet but I have the plans in my grubby little hands and will be commencing a sit inside build in the coming months.

Ditto to everything that Matt said. I believe in this boat - and its potential. I have been wanting to start a build for a couple of years now but Matt just keeps coming up with designs that I want to build more. :shock:

Re modifications to suit your needs, It is only wood. You can do what ever you need to do to suit your needs. - easy :D

CF 16 is a big, wide boat, Should be very stable and good to paddle and to fish from, should handle you and the littleun - no problem :D

I would be very surprised if you do not love this boat. :D
Regards,
Mick

JEMWATERCRAFT Swampgirl; Wadefish;Touring Pirogue;South Wind; P5 ;
Laker X 2, Sasquatch 16.5 T-V 15 Okwata 15:
Cobia 15 (under construction)
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cablerunners
Posts: 5
Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 10:05 am
Type of boat I like: <-- Please read instructions to the left and delete this text. Then, tell us what type boat you like! :-)
Location: Portland, Oregon

Post by cablerunners »

Wow, Thanks for the replies and so fast!

The more I look at the CF the more I'm wanting to build it...

We have bought several of the plastic kayaks think I owned 7 over the last couple years and I even got a 16' canoe.

I just built a TearDrop Camp trailer and really love it! :D

Anyhow, It will prob be about 2 months before I can start. Working on my daughter's car (clutch issue atm). Then need to build an aquarium stand for my wife... after these I'll be ready.

Honestly, I have some wood working skills but none with epoxy or glass. Do you think this can be built by the first timer newbie, or should I start with something else?

I plan to do lots of reading here and other sites... I also plan to visit local woodcraft shops to see what's avail.

I'm pretty exited about this... need a for me project since my Teardrop is done.

-phil
What one man can do... Another can do!
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jem
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Post by jem »

Fiberglass and epoxy has some learning curve to it. But if you want take it a little at a time and follow the instructions closely, you should be ok.

Might want to think about boat shelf plans or a pirogue if you want a warm-up.
-Matt. Designer.
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cablerunners
Posts: 5
Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 10:05 am
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Post by cablerunners »

Hi Again,

Do you think the 14' would be big enough for me and my grand daughter?

I should have specified the size eariler...

-phil
What one man can do... Another can do!
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jem
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Post by jem »

If you're both paddling at the time, you'll need to stay in sync. Otherwise you sould have plenty of room.
-Matt. Designer.
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cablerunners
Posts: 5
Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 10:05 am
Type of boat I like: <-- Please read instructions to the left and delete this text. Then, tell us what type boat you like! :-)
Location: Portland, Oregon

Post by cablerunners »

LOL Thanks!

Don't think my grand daughter will be paddling...

-phil
What one man can do... Another can do!
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jem
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Post by jem »

cablerunners wrote:LOL Thanks!

Don't think my grand daughter will be paddling...

-phil
Not so fast Grandpa! She'll be asking to join in soon enough! :wink:
-Matt. Designer.
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hairymick
Design Reviewer
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Post by hairymick »

Not so fast Grandpa! She'll be asking to join in soon enough!
Yes! :D

and before too long, she will be putting in an order for her Poppy to build her, her own little boat. :D :D 8)
Regards,
Mick

JEMWATERCRAFT Swampgirl; Wadefish;Touring Pirogue;South Wind; P5 ;
Laker X 2, Sasquatch 16.5 T-V 15 Okwata 15:
Cobia 15 (under construction)
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