Year 2002

Hi Jack,
Finally got a break in the rain late this afternoon and took off to the lake.  
She floated!  I eased in from the dock and immediately notice how stable she was.  
Initial and secondary stability are excellent as you can even see me standing in her!  
Of course I did that after I got done playing around as she is a joy to paddle.  
Indeed this is a very stable boat!  

I played around getting myself comfortable then 
took off across the lake.  She has a good turn of speed and not all that difficult to turn.  
I'd have to compare her with a multichine boat as far as her turning goes.  
She turns nicely when leaned but not as quickly as my hard chine boats, 
so the rocker seems to have helped.  I wouldn't go more than an inch on the rocker.  
Any more might impair her performace and speed.since she has a more pronouncec V-bottom 
amidship.  She tracks exceptionally well too.  Did not have much time to spend with her today, 
but now I'm looking forward to those nice days...even if they are cool!  She's a great 
project, a lot of fun and her overall perfmorance was about as good as you can get!  I do 
have to make the cockpit a little longer in the back and put a small flat backrest in too that's 
shaped like the main frames.  Other than that she is ready to go.  

I'll make a new cockpit ring 
with the inside measurements 1.5" longer on the back side and pull it down the same distance 
from the bow.  I'm 5-9 and weigh 200, so that will be a good figure to start with.  Notice that 
I'm fully inside.  The small floorboards I added forward and rear of the cockpit give a good 
place for feet and to stretch your legs.  From the frame near the stems is full of foam.  Only 
had an hour with her but it was wonderful!   Later  Richard

Hi Jack,
The green seat in the skin boat is an actual Crazy Creek Canoe chair that I 
was lucky enough to find at a junk store for 3.99!  Regular price of those 
seats is 29.99.  Punch in Crazy Creek Canoe Chair in (SEARCH).  They have an 
excellent line of seats for canoes, kayaks, camping, etc.   Still has the 
factory tag on!  I also like the stadium seat (almost identical), folding, 
about the same size, etc.  They are 9.96.  I use the Walmart seat all the 
time but it's not quite as dense as the more expensive canoe chair.  You can 
always add another layer on the bottom or the back.  I need to pick up a 
couple more. Will let you know how she performs and how everything else 
works that I modified as soon as I can get to the water.    Getting real 
excited now!  later  ....  Richard

Hi Jack,
I did change the cockpit panel.  Something about the first one I didn't 
like.  The new one is much lighter and is a combo of plywood and canvas. 
Easier to make and easier to install too.  I'm painting her today.  All I 
had enough of was some light gray.  Should have the 3rd coat on by late this 
evening.  While that's drying, I'll start putting the 12 footer together.  
Should be able to launch her sometime this week or next at the latest.  Have 
a nice 4 day fishing trip coming up on the Junita River for some smallies in 
about a week and may take her on that trip just to have something different 
on the water. I'll keep you posted.  Richard
	
Hi Jack,
Here's what I changed things over too.  A 1/4" plywood cockpit ring that is 
covered in canvas on the bottom side, then stapled and glued to the existing 
rectangular cockpit framing.  Nothing is glued or painted yet.  Just 
fastened with screws, finishing washers and staples.  I used some canvas 
scraps left over and finished the top edge in ducktape temporarily Just to 
cover some topside staples and cut cloth edges.  If this works good enough 
I'll use one solid piece of canvas under the ring.  Marine Goop makes a 
neater job than the glue, is clear and dries very smoooth.  Only drawback is 
that it's more expensive.  I'll use it  to make a neater overlap joint, then 
remove what staples I can unless they are stainless.  I used 1/4" staples on 
the cockpit ring.  I only have one coat on the deck but 2 on the hull.  If I 
get a chance I'll try to get her in the water for some pics, and then finish 
her up with at least 3 or 4 coats of paint.  Well, I'm always experimenting 
and if this don't work I can still go back to the orginal cockpit or back 
tot he drawing boat.  A thousand ways to do this, and so far this seems to 
be working with the least amount of time, materials and effort involved.  
Trying to keep it simple too!  Later  Richard


Year 2003

Hi Jack,
New boat pics.  Me and my 13 year old grand daughter had a blast today.  
Mostly her!  She keeps hinting that she could carry a 12 footer much easier. 
Guess I'll build one for her this week.  I put curved blocks in the 
corners of the cockpit, used a rockered keel, but kept more or less 
everything else pretty close to the plans.  The boat handled very well and 
she did an excellent job of puttering around the lake for a couple of hours. 

I paddled about 30 minutes and let her have some fun.  Tried 2 different 
seats out too.  Stadium seat worked well but needs a little more padding on 
the bottom for me.  Plastic seat did ok but rocky, but also gave me more 
back support.  Going again tomorrow.  Later  Richard