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Strip: seeking advice for fitting out a microbootlegger
By:Bob Dean
Date: 9/13/2013, 7:29 pm

I am finally, after far too long, about to finish the Microbootlegger I started building a couple of summers ago. I still have a couple of decisions to make. One has to do with deck lines. I have not constructed hatches, planning to use float bags and dry bags for buoyancy and cargo, given the big open cockpit of the boat. I am also reluctant to clutter up the boat more than necessary, because Nick's design is so elegant. However, safety first. The boat will be used primarily for fair-weather excursions on the lakes around the inland northwest, so I don't anticipate testing the limits of performance in dangerous conditions very often. Nonetheless, as an aid to reboarding in the event of capsize, are deck lines needed on a double-paddle canoe of this sort? My experience of this sort of thing is limited to rowing shells, where you get the boat upright again, grab the two oars with one hand, the gunnel with the other, and heave yourself into the boat using the oars in the locks as pontoons to let you get seated again in a boat with an 11 inch beam. With no experience in a boat of this sort, I'm trying to envision the self-rescue techniques needed--and since it really isn't a kayak, I haven't yet run across instructions. Paddle with float under deck bungees? Anyone have experience with this sort of craft?

Messages In This Thread

Strip: seeking advice for fitting out a microbootlegger
Bob Dean -- 9/13/2013, 7:29 pm
Re: Strip: seeking advice for fitting out a microb
Robert Horstmann -- 9/15/2013, 12:55 am
Re: Strip: seeking advice for fitting out a microb
Bill Hamm -- 9/15/2013, 1:47 am
Re: Strip: seeking advice for fitting out a microb
Robert Horstmann -- 9/16/2013, 9:59 am
Re: Strip: seeking advice for fitting out a microb
Bob Dean -- 9/18/2013, 5:11 pm
Re: Strip: seeking advice for fitting out a microb
Bill Hamm -- 9/19/2013, 1:47 am
Re: Strip: seeking advice for fitting out a microb
Robert Horstmann -- 9/19/2013, 10:07 am
Re: Strip: seeking advice for fitting out a microb
Robert Horstmann -- 9/19/2013, 10:16 am