: I have learned a lot from the previous critics of my design. Hopefully I have
: taken what I learned and put it in this one. I have decided to go Stitch
: and Glue with a strip deck. I started with a design in HULLS. Which as you
: probably know has a lot of limits. I then pulled it in FreeShip and have
: refined the lines some. I tired to create a deck that is close to what I
: want. But I am still learning FreeShip and it isn't very good. But it's
: something to look at. I will take this and refine it some more. But the
: final choices will be made by eye on the boat as I make the forms.

: Same goals as before. I settled on a Design weight of 275 lbs. 200 lb
: paddler, 50 lb boat, 25lb of gear. Most times it will have only 3-5 lbs of
: gear it in? (camera, snacks, water etc) On a long camping trip if I had to
: carry water maybe 50 lbs? I figure 275 was a good in between number that
: wouldn't be exceeded often.

: Looking for decent initial stability. Doesn't have to be rock steady. But I
: do want good secondary stability. Good edge turning which I think the hard
: chines will have. Speed is secondary but like everyone I want to maximize
: it but not at the expense of the other goals. Paddling with the young guys
: I need any advantage I can get. :-)

: All input is welcome. If I don't like it, I will ignore it :-). I will
: probably start working up my list and order materials in the next week or
: so. VERY ANXIOUS to finally get started after months of debating and
: fretting.

: Oh, and I will be building a second one of this design. I will scale it down
: to suit my Niece better. Probably 16.5 foot long boat.

Btw, hard chines don't automatically give you good edge turning. I don't have the program on this computer so can't see the dimmensions but from a casual glance I suspect the waterline beam will be fairly skinny from the angle of the sides, makes for a tippy boat. Narrow boats sides need to be nearly plumb to have reasonable stability and to have them turn well (fairly gross generalization btw).

Bill H.