Kudzu Craft SOF kayak kits

Tired of fighting with 50 pound boats?

VARDO when finished weighted 24 pounds. Curlew with a heavier 12 oz. skin weighed 32 lbs. Long shot (in the photo) weights 32 lbs with a 8 oz polyester and painted finish.

These weights are typical. These were not special built boats. These were built exactly like I recommend you build yours. Our boats are made using fuselage style frame covered in nylon or polyester fabric and then sealed to make it waterproof. You end with a very lightweight boat and yes, a very durable boat.

And you can build one yourself for about $300 to $400 in materials!

Larger Video here

My boats are based on methods that have been proven over thousands of years but using modern materials. Our frames are built fuselage style, much like airplane construction. The frames are marine plywood and the stringers are made from lightweight woods lashed together with artificial sinew. A synthetic fabric skin is sewn over the frame, shrunk, waterproofed and it becomes a structural member of the boat. This makes an extremely strong, durable and lightweight boat.

Contrary to their delicate looks, SOF boats are very tough and durable. I have run mine upon many rocks, across submerged logs, stumps and tree limbs and I have yet to make more than a small mark on the hull.

This video shows you just how tough they really are. It takes a lot more than hitting a rock, stick or some other object in the water!

Latest News

New design * SHAD * 31 lbs

Custom Built Boats are now available. I have retired my Appraisers License and decided to concentrate more time on my boats. I am now at a point I am comfortable to publicly offer my boat building skills to you. If you are interested, you can find more information on this page. I will be happy to work with you and build a boat just for you.

New Design

The prototype for Shad is finished and it appears to be a success. I have had it on the water a couple of times but both were on totally calm water. I want to paddling it some waves and wind to make sure it doesn't have some hidden, nasty bad manners. It things go well I will finishing the plans and releasing them soon.

SHAD is 17.5 feet overall and has a beam of approximately 23" inches. Stability is similar to most of my boats. A beginner may feel a bit uncomfortable at first but should quickly become comfortable with it.

You can read my Blog and see the progress on this one.

NEW BOOK

In my book will walk you through the process of building your own skin on frame canoe or kayak. I start by addressing the space needed to build a boat and the few tool that are needed. Then I go into detail on laying out the frames from a table of offsets. I show you how to assemble the frame by lashing the members together rather than using epoxy, all about skinning the boat and the rest of the steps up to launching.

You can purchase and autographed copy in our store.

Were on

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