Any Ideas for plans of a strip Kayak for Ohio river paddling?

Hi I'm Alan I'm a cabinet/strip boat builder and getting ready to start a kayak soon as I decide on a plan most of my paddling will be on the Ohio river any ideas?

Hi finewood58, welcome to the forum I personally found THIS (please click) was giving a nice basic outline of what it takes to build a kayak. I hope this is helpful to you.

Thanks Copper! I'm looking for a design thats suited for large river paddling and I build strip canoes but I want a strip kayak to build. I'll be doing a lot of camping

Do you have any production made model in mind you would like your canoe to be like, Finewood58?

Hi Copper I have not even been in a kayak. Thats where I hope to get all the info I can before I build one. I'm meeting up with Ross Liedy this spring in Cleveland, (Blue Heron Kayaks). He will be a lot of help. So Any other advice will be greatly appreciated

Oh wow, finewood58 I hope you really like kayaking then. If you would have some specific questions I am sure members here and others could advise. Btw, it sounds great going kayaking in Cleveland

Copper, I guess what I'm looking for is a kayak design that will haul camping supplies my 195lb's stable for a beginner but great for long trips. There is a small amount of kayakers around here, if any! I hope to be able to build more than one and get more people interested. the river here has over 100 miles of shore line between dams and a few tributaries of great interest I also hunt arrowheads here on the banks.

finewood58, I think THIS (please click) you can see the sizes and other information about ocean kayaks - perhaps it is good to incorporate one or some of the specifications for obtaining the objectives you have for eyes for your first kayak

(obviously you would have to have the specifications for a standard beginners kayak in order to melt them in (I am working on getting the information).

Thanks Copper I again thank you for the help you are giving me. It will be greatly appreciated and well used. You have the idea that I want. The world of kayaking is very advanced for a beginner. I do know that with the wind here it won,t be much problem there could be some small chop on a windy or in a storm but mostly it's protected. As far as speed I'm not to worried about it for I would be the only one paddling a kayak for a while. And as I get advanced I will build something else. My thoughts for length would be around 17 ? Thanks again !

Hi,
I am just getting started, also. I have purchased Nick Shade's book about Strip Kayaking. It is an excellent resource. You can also check out the following link, great resources as well as excellent forum. Good luck and keep in touch. I am located in the upper peninsula of MI and plan on kayaking rivers and the Great Lakes on calm days!!
http://www.kayakforum.com/

I am going to be doing Nick's Great Auk for my first one. Probably won't actually get started until next fall. I am researching heavily and doing some minor construction in my basement to set up a shop.

Hi Doug! Thanks for your input I have had my eye on the Expedition single. It,s what I think will work for me. But not sure?

I think an Expedition Single is an excellent choice. Though it's a bit longer than you had in mind, finewoods58 (17' - but still...

The great thing with this premade kayak is that one can see the drawings (helping to build one oneself) HERE (again, haha please click, plus you need to click on the tabs up of the photo there)

Copper You think a 17' would be a better starter? It will be easier to find wood for than 20'

You wrote your thoughts were about an around 17'er I take it you are flexible!

Very cool building your own kayak. I'd add the abiltiy to attach a sail. You can find instuction for a V sail on the web.