IMRESBOAT, DOUBLE PADDLE CANOE, 15.5' X 26", 50
POUNDS EMPTY
Imresboat is a slimmed up version of Larsboat which was
designed for Lars Hasselgren to replace a Folboat that
had finally met its end. Lars wanted capacity for two,
plus decking, as with his old Folboat. But Imre wanted
something more slender and lower in the same length. The
result is 26" wide instead of 30" wide. And
the result of that is that Imresboat is a single seater
because the capacity has been reduced with the width.
Imre wanted it even narrower but I hoped to stay within
the tippyness bounds of most folks. Not sure yet how narrow
something like this can get before the normal guy can't
sit upright in it. I do know that you apparently can get
used to about anything in that respect as experienced
kayakers do.
The deck opening is smaller to sit just one man but I
think it is longer than the usual kayak because us older
folks have trouble fitting our legs through the hole in
a performance kayak. Something like putting on a pair
of pants without standing up.
(Here is a photo of Paul Moffitt's Larsboat with two
aboard.)
Another change I made with Imresboat is to go to thinner
plywood to save weight. In this case I suggest 1/8"
ply for everything except the bottom which is still 1/4".
Not sure where the 1/8" plywood comes from but it
used to be what they skinned doors with. Be sure to boil
a sample and hope it is waterproof. Anyway, Chuck Leinweber
brought a Toto to our messabout with 1/8" ply sides
and 1/4" bottom and it struck me as being fine for
stiffness and strength. Like Toto and Larsboat, Imresboat
is taped seam construction. I'm guessing at the 50 pound
weight but for example Larsboats built of 1/4" plywood
have weighed between 60 and 80 pounds depending on who
built them.