2nd catamaran kayak build

Discussion in 'Multihulls' started by DeaninMilwaukee, Sep 14, 2018.

  1. DeaninMilwaukee
    Joined: Nov 2016
    Posts: 21
    Likes: 1, Points: 3, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: milwaukee

    DeaninMilwaukee Junior Member

    Wider would make good sense as a paddle board. Mines stable to stand on as is, but trying to paddle while standing would probably require more stability yet.
    This might actually work really well. Most paddle boards length to width ratio is really quite poor so they can be wide enough to be stable. Going catamaran you could theoretically be both stable and fast.
     
  2. fallguy
    Joined: Dec 2016
    Posts: 7,598
    Likes: 1,674, Points: 123, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: usa

    fallguy Senior Member

    I don't quite get the benefit of the twin hull design if narrow enough to paddle.

    Again, a conversation is all.
     
  3. DeaninMilwaukee
    Joined: Nov 2016
    Posts: 21
    Likes: 1, Points: 3, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: milwaukee

    DeaninMilwaukee Junior Member

    Low drag for the stability level.

    Think about it this way. It's essentially a 20 inch wide ( therefore very skinny and unstable ) kayak split in two to create good stability.

    It of course has more drag than the 20" kayak, but it's very low drag for something so stable.
     
  4. peterbike
    Joined: Dec 2017
    Posts: 74
    Likes: 25, Points: 18
    Location: melbourne

    peterbike Junior Member

    I think it's great Dean & am glad you have done it & proved that it works . :):)
    The concept is something that I have had in mind for a while - to be used as a dinghy/tender for a trimaran.
    I got the idea from seeing a guy pull a canoe out of the back if a dragonfly float. Then thinking I don't want a canoe, but 2 bolted together like yours would be perfect.
    My requirements :
    1. easy, cheap construction so if it gets stolen when I leave it on the beach while I go off to town to get my groceries - I will not be really,really pissed off. :mad::mad:
    2. it needs to be able to be split/assembled quickly & easily (within 3 minutes without tools) by use of 4 wing nuts on all thread epoxied into the decks.
    The 2 dinghy hulls could be stored 1 in each float between the fore & aft beams - loaded from above so I don't get wet :eek: (ala dragonfly)

    The opening in the top of floats would have to be like the cockpit of an old bi plane with a windscreen;)/coaming at the leading edge with a normal deck hatch placed vertically (maybe 350mm square) behind/under the coaming & the "cockpit' 1000mm long ? x 350 wide x 300 deep.
    Self draining, to allow sliding in & out of the cat/kayak/dinghy hull.
    The top platform for sitting on (same as yours) would be 1000mm long by 350/400 wide with some padding for my arse, could be slotted in float as well.
    One rowlock in each dinghy hull & the option for a very small mast with sail furled around - no boom. Steering with an oar/paddle.
    Its one thing to have an idea - but the reality ? Now that I have seen it & you tell me it works I can relax on this one & get on to thinking about other things.
    Thank you, Peter
    nb. of course ; if I had a harryproa it could go in the "toybox"
     
    Last edited: Sep 16, 2018
  5. Deering
    Joined: Feb 2005
    Posts: 481
    Likes: 25, Points: 18, Legacy Rep: 44
    Location: Juneau, Alaska

    Deering Senior Member

    Great project, Dean. It reminded me that I had built something very, very similar some years ago out of ply/epoxy. My basic dimensions came out exactly the same as yours, though your hull design is far more refined than mine, and lighter.

    I’ve kayaked for years, and the initial stability of sitting on top of this was disconcerting. But it proved to be remarkably stable for its purpose. I ended up giving it to a friend who added a small trolling motor behind the seated area on the bridge deck. All reports are that it worked great.
     
  6. Fanie
    Joined: Oct 2007
    Posts: 4,604
    Likes: 177, Points: 63, Legacy Rep: 2484
    Location: Colonial "Sick Africa"

    Fanie Fanie

    If you widen it a bit and add a trolling motor like Deering suggested, you can also add a solar panel. By monitoring the current supplied by the panel vs the motor current you may well sail all day long and still have a full battery.
     

  7. DeaninMilwaukee
    Joined: Nov 2016
    Posts: 21
    Likes: 1, Points: 3, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: milwaukee

    DeaninMilwaukee Junior Member

    It would do quite well on the smallest of trolling motors. Hull speed for an 11.5 ft craft is only 5.3 mph, and my un-athletic self was able to do 4.2 mph. 3 mph required very little effort.

    I suspect it could be pushed close to hull speed with perhaps only 100 watts or so, which even the smallest trolling motors can handle all day long.

    Finding a spot for the battery would require some thought. This is a minimalist boat, not a lot of spare space, however the very low current draw could allow an extra small battery.
     
    Last edited: Oct 21, 2018
Loading...
Forum posts represent the experience, opinion, and view of individual users. Boat Design Net does not necessarily endorse nor share the view of each individual post.
When making potentially dangerous or financial decisions, always employ and consult appropriate professionals. Your circumstances or experience may be different.