More paddles

David from Victoria got in touch wit me to build a Greenland paddle. He felt this small project would help him put his kayak project in first gear. David is a quick study and he had a stunning paddle to show for his efforts well before dinner time.
It is always a pleasure to have people in my shop.
Thanks for coming over to Sprucedragon boats David and congrats on your great paddle!


Some more paddles available for sale...


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Ultralight rolling kayak is finished

The ultralight kayak is finished! Throughout the building process, I took great care in shaving weight EVERYWHERE... As a result, building time was at least doubled. All done, it came out at least 4 pounds lighter than my lightest kayak to date. 22 pounds for a boat almost 18 feet long put us in the high tech vacuum molded carbon fiber high category.
I surprised myself on a few area with this boat. I was shooting for 1.5 cm of freeboard to be within the Greenland kayak association minimum but I have at least triple that amount at 185 pounds of weight suggesting a200 pounds paddler would still be within the rule.
The stability of the boat is vastly superior to what I was expecting given the narrow beam. The boat is sitting fairly low in the water giving tremendous secondary stability.
I am falling in love with paddle loops. When the Greenland stick is secured in them, you can quite literally stand in the boat. What an amazing feature I am thankful for the Skin Boat School tutorial video that gave me this usefull tip.
I look forward to to take it out a few times before it sell.
The rolling kayak is offered at 2000$ contact me for a trial. Sprucedragon@gmail.com



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The new boats

As any new design, the Saran Wrap test is done to fix any potential flaws.



If all is well, the skin is sewed on.


Deck Lina and cockpit coaming.


Final water test. Always exciting.

Delivery to Vancouver on the faithful Honda.


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A new boat,

When opportunity knocks, you answer.
I was contacte, five months ago by this Vancouver couple seeking to comission 2 custom kayak built to meet specific requirements. They had to be light, comfortable, stable and stunning.
Just increasing the beam of my mainstay Greenland type would have increased the drag unacceptably. Something new had to be done.
Kayak in the 13/14 foot range are becoming increasingly popular as most people realize the 17 foot boats are a bear to handle on land and to just carry in general. Furthermore, people tend to be unrealistic about their kayak use. We all dream of expeditions to far away place but I suspect a tiny percentage of expedition kayak go on little more than day trips.

This new boat will be to sea kayak what the ipad is to laptop.
















More soon
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Nathan 's new paddle

Nathan is a local kayaking instructor. He contacted me a few weeks ago wanting to try his hand at Paddle carving. I was quite happy to oblige and get back in the shop after a busy spring at my day job.
Nathan is a quick study and finished his paddle on the same day!
Congratulation.

This paddle is the first to be carved out of stock I found that have been air drying for 35 years! I probably have enough for 20 more paddles. If you are interested, contact me.
A paddle carving class is 120$. A paddle carved by me is 150$ plus shipping.

Skin boats of Seattle

Took a road trip with the family to Seattle. As usual, I begged for a "quick stop" at the Center For Wooden Boat. My wife, celebrated Salt Spring
photographer Valeskca San Martin (www.valeskca.com) indulged me.
I was pleased to see their freshly completed Umiak on the hard. The boat was part of the center educational program and was built by local students.

To me , Umiaks represent the pinnacle of skin on frame technology. That particular example Could easily carry 16 people and gear. Spectacular.











Jut to show I was there;)


I also could not help to snap a quick picture of a replica of one of my favorite boat of all time. Commodore Ralf Monroe venerable Sharpie Egret.
What a trip...

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Jamalitook frame for sale

Jamalitook frame is going to a new good home.


Me with my first boat 2 years ago.


The same boat being build by a younger me.

The boat is to be either reskinned for a fresh new life on the water or used as an art piece.
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