JEM Watercraft

Anyone built the Freedom in the 13' long x 30" wide version yet? It looks like the ideal small lake fly fishing platform I have been looking for. Wider than a typical Yak for us bigger guys, easier to maneuver than an inflatable pontoon, additional chime for better secondary stability than a pirogue.

Anyone able to comment on it?

Sold several plans. No pictures from any of the builders.

MakoML wrote:Anyone built the Freedom in the 13' long x 30" wide version yet? It looks like the ideal small lake fly fishing platform I have been looking for. Wider than a typical Yak for us bigger guys, easier to maneuver than an inflatable pontoon, additional chime for better secondary stability than a pirogue.

Anyone able to comment on it?

Mate, Your observations seem to me to be spot on. If I were a fly fisherman - there would be one of these in my shed for sure.

the new 15 32 T-V would be a good one.
Ron

Just ordered the plans...gimme a couple days and I'll post some pics.

On the Freedom as drawn, are the upper hull panels top and bottom edges parallel like a pirogue when laid out? Trying to see if I could get away with using a pre-fabricated stripped cedar panel for the upper hull and regular ply sections for the lower hull?

MakoML wrote:On the Freedom as drawn, are the upper hull panels top and bottom edges parallel like a pirogue when laid out? Trying to see if I could get away with using a pre-fabricated stripped cedar panel for the upper hull and regular ply sections for the lower hull?

No they are not. But you could draw and cut out the parts (as drawn) from a cheap piece of ply to make a pattern, make a panel from strips, and then use the pattern piece to trace onto the strip panel. A little extra step but not a hard one.

NOTE: I'm not 100% sure how it will turn out or if the strip panel will bend properly. However, other builders are having success with it.


Seems like this is a new trend for builders. Sort of a half-way step between wood-strip and stitch and glue. I may have to try it for myself.

jem wrote:

MakoML wrote:On the Freedom as drawn, are the upper hull panels top and bottom edges parallel like a pirogue when laid out? Trying to see if I could get away with using a pre-fabricated stripped cedar panel for the upper hull and regular ply sections for the lower hull?

No they are not. But you could draw and cut out the parts (as drawn) from a cheap piece of ply to make a pattern, make a panel from strips, and then use the pattern piece to trace onto the strip panel. A little extra step but not a hard one.

NOTE: I'm not 100% sure how it will turn out or if the strip panel will bend properly. However, other builders are having success with it.


Seems like this is a new trend for builders. Sort of a half-way step between wood-strip and stitch and glue. I may have to try it for myself.

That is what I did with my Touring Pirogue. More work, but cheaper than marine ply. I would say it added about 10 hours of labor. I would do it again in a heart beat. The only thing I would do different is use plywood for the bottom. Only because the bottom is one very large FLAT panel and the strips are not as stiff as ply since the grain is all running the same way. This allows for some flex. In a boat designed for strip building the bottoms are usually slightly rounded which acts as an arch and makes for a very stiff bottom. I think the bottom of the Freedom would be ok though because it is not as large of a panel. But, I wouldn't know unless I actually built it so don't take my word for it.

Also, the top and bottom edges of the Pirogue are not parallel. The bottom has a slight curve. Either that or I had too many beers while cutting.

Here is how I made my templates:

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