Barrens meets Vader

[Jim Dodd]

This day seemed dull and overcast, until Alan and Sadie showed up with Barrens ! We had a great time ! Floating down the Des Moines river.

Alan, right off, tackled the biggest wave train around this neck of the woods, just upstream from my shop. I'd call it a solid CII rapids.
I opted out and was nervous as Alan approached it. Thinking What would I do if Alan didn't make through. I soon saw how easy Alan made it look in Barrens. That Boy knows how to design and build !

We were on the river for nearly 3 hrs. and talked canoes solid.
Here's a few pics.

​

I have a few more, but Photobucket is slow bringing them up, so hopefully later.
Both canoes handled great, but I think Sadie favored the Barrens, as it was padded. I guess that's where they came up with the phrase "Creature Comforts"

And the Lady of the Day !

Jim

 

[Grandpa Paddler]

Great photos. Waiting to see Alan taking on the rapids. Any video?

 

[Muskrat]

Good stuff, I love the side by side shot showing off the hull shapes. Congratulations to both of you on finishing the builds.

 

[Alan Gage]

I had a great time too. Always fun to talk boats and the rain was kind enough to hold off.

20170409_003 by Alan, on Flickr

Not only did Jim's carbon black boat with wood trim look sharp on the water but Jim made sure to color coordinate himself to it. Quite a fashionable guy.

20170409_001 by Alan, on Flickr

20170409_002 by Alan, on Flickr

Alan

 

[Jim Dodd]

Great photos. Waiting to see Alan taking on the rapids. Any video?

I wish ! Maybe next time ! I really should have caught Alan and Sadie on that first rapids, that I chickened out in !

Jim

 

[Guest]

what make and model are these canoes please?
Turtle

 

[Jim Dodd]

I was able to get more pics up on Photobucket

 

[stripperguy]

Great photos, guys. I bet you had a fun day talking boats and paddling the river.
Jim, are you happy with your build? It looks fast.
And the side by side photo tells it all, no wonder Alan was cruising through those rapids, look at all that volume!! And in all the right places.

 

[Robin]

Great to see those canoes in action, both look nice in the pictures, Thanks for sharing, inspiring me to get going!

 

[Jim Dodd]

Great photos, guys. I bet you had a fun day talking boats and paddling the river.
Jim, are you happy with your build? It looks fast.
And the side by side photo tells it all, no wonder Alan was cruising through those rapids, look at all that volume!! And in all the right places.

We had a Ball !

I was truly concerned about Alan's safety, as he approached the rapids, but watching him go through, he didn't take on a drop of water ! I would have had a bunch in Vader !

Every time I went into the shop and Vader was on the stands, I would lift one end, and smile. Yes, I'm happy with Vader.
I had two cheap Fish scales, one read 41# and the other 42#, to weigh when Alan was there.
All I know, is it goes up on my shoulder pretty easy.

You have me interested in the foam. I wonder how much more weight I would have saved, had I used it, instead of the 1/8" cedar insert ?
I felt the cedar insert was pretty light, and provided plenty of stiffness.

By the way Alan's carbon pedestal seat is comfortable, even for a 240# guy. I really gave it a good test, and it passed in flying colors !

Jim

 

[memaquay]

Nice looking canoes gentlemen! Maybe if you take them on a couple of more dates, they'll get together and make a hybrid!

 

[wingnut]

Yea, I'd say Jim gets the best dressed man of the day award. Sadie looks right at home in a canoe. It would be interesting to see how she keeps her composure shooting the rapids.

 

[Alan Gage]

what make and model are these canoes please?
Turtle

They're both our own designs:

http://www.canoetripping.net/forums/forum/general-paddling-discussions/diy/52804-barrens-build

http://www.canoetripping.net/forums/forum/paddlecraft-construction/37923-nokomis-build

Alan

 

[Ralph]

Very impressive boats! Well done. I, too, really liked the side-by-side picture of the boats on the vehicle. When do you do into commercial production?

 

[Jim Dodd]

Thanks Mem
Alan has one, maybe two in the works ! Watch for them !
I know it will be my turn to go up there, and see one, once the forms are up.

I tried to buy a nice canoe trailer at an auction, but there were deeper pockets than mine. It was a factory single canoe trailer, perfect for a square stern !

Jim

 

[Alan Gage]

Sadie looks right at home in a canoe. It would be interesting to see how she keeps her composure shooting the rapids.

She's not a fan of whitewater. She gets nervous and anxiously looks at the shoreline, hoping for a portage, as we approach. But once we're in the rapid she takes a wide stance and braces herself. The large rapid was right at the put-in so I left Sadie on shore, ran it empty, and picked her up on the downstream side.

Alan

 

[Jim Dodd]

Very impressive boats! Well done. I, too, really liked the side-by-side picture of the boats on the vehicle. When do you do into commercial production?

Thanks !
Alan could ! I'm a still in the novice stage, and content to stay there !

Jim

 

[Sven]

Great looking boats!
Those freshly christened boats make me look forward to building a solo boat next winter. I've never paddled a solo before, but I think I will greatly enjoy solo paddling.

Jim,
For being what I would consider an accomplished builder, you remain very humble. It would be alright to give yourself a pat on the back occasionally.
Again, I must compliment both of you on your wonderful looking boats!
I wouldn't know it yet, but I'm guessing the first paddle in a new boat must be very satisfying.
Looking forward to seeing the next boats you guys build.

 

[stripperguy]

---

You have me interested in the foam. I wonder how much more weight I would have saved, had I used it, instead of the 1/8" cedar insert ?
I felt the cedar insert was pretty light, and provided plenty of stiffness.
---

Jim

Jim,
The 1/8" thick H80 Divinycell has a density of 5 lbs/cu ft
Nice dry western red cedar is 21 to 22 lbs/cu ft.
How much weight could you save? I dunno, but you know the area of your cedar insert...

 

[Jim Dodd]

Sven
To me it's such a big advantage to go solo ! You need only ask yourself to go, and not be at the mercy of someone else ! That will get you on the water soo much more !!!

The quiet is soothing. Not always possible with a partner.

Yes, build a solo, you will be glad you did !

Jim