Homemade kayaks?

Guy local to me is selling 2 homemade kayaks for $50 each.  Going to take a look after work, will most likely pick up 1.  Does anyone have any experience with something like this?  It will be for local lakes, and fishing, no rivers or ocean use.  Anything to look out for?

Good possibilities there. I can't tell what the shell is made of, Glass/wood/fabric, but a mirage drive would be fairly easy to insert in that framed shape of hull. Close off the fore and aft compartments, put a hatch on top and foam fill the cockpit to the height of a mirage drive box, six inches, and you might have a great fishing SOT.

According to the description, both are wood framed with a fiberglass cover.  Some of the other pics seem to show a decent thickness to the fiberglass.  Alright, i will most likely pick one up.  Picks to follow when i get home.  I've been wanting a SOT, so your idea has me intrigued.

They look sound, but look for cracks at the seams, any discoloration of the wood where it may have had moisture. Also, and this is important, is he married? If he is, they seen little use.

Good possibilities there. I can't tell what the shell is made of, Glass/wood/fabric, but a mirage drive would be fairly easy to insert in that framed shape of hull. Close off the fore and aft compartments, put a hatch on top and foam fill the cockpit to the height of a mirage drive box, six inches, and you might have a great fishing SOT.

I saw a product I'd never seen before the other day at Lowes, called Sika Pro Select Fence Post Mix, what caught my eye is that it's actually a foam product, pours as a liquid sets as a foam, might be a good source of filling foam for making something sturdier and unsinkable. Or it might absorb water and not be suitable at all.

Also, and this is important, if he is married offer him $35 and he'll jump all over it.

Also, and this is important, if he is married offer him $35 and he'll jump all over it.

 

They look sound, but look for cracks at the seams, any discoloration of the wood where it may have had moisture. Also, and this is important, is he married? If he is, they seen little use.

I'm sensing a theme here.   

Good possibilities there. I can't tell what the shell is made of, Glass/wood/fabric, but a mirage drive would be fairly easy to insert in that framed shape of hull. Close off the fore and aft compartments, put a hatch on top and foam fill the cockpit to the height of a mirage drive box, six inches, and you might have a great fishing SOT.

I saw a product I'd never seen before the other day at Lowes, called Sika Pro Select Fence Post Mix, what caught my eye is that it's actually a foam product, pours as a liquid sets as a foam, might be a good source of filling foam for making something sturdier and unsinkable. Or it might absorb water and not be suitable at all.

Glass is ideal to work with and repair. Three ways to foam fill. Buy the two part urethane rising foam system. Have it blown in by a house insulator. Cut and piece hard urethane insulation foam. Always use urethane if you intend to use glass resin to cover.
I'd jump on this. 50 bucks is worth the chance to make something really good. If you go for a mirage drive PM me or look in past posts. Pics of my project are there.

Good possibilities there. I can't tell what the shell is made of, Glass/wood/fabric, but a mirage drive would be fairly easy to insert in that framed shape of hull. Close off the fore and aft compartments, put a hatch on top and foam fill the cockpit to the height of a mirage drive box, six inches, and you might have a great fishing SOT.

Great idea, but is there enough space to fit a mirage drive? They look fairly short to me.

No way a mirage drive will fit.  But i was able to get both for 75.  They're about 15 years old and in great shape.  A few hatch's and I'm ready to rock.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Oh, and he was married.  Her late husband made them with their kids.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Are you married? I will give you $20 and a dozen roses (for the wife! #nohomo) to save you from sleeping on the couch!

Engaged, and my woman was the one to yell sold!  Shes as excited as i am.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

No way a mirage drive will fit.  But i was able to get both for 75.  They're about 15 years old and in great shape.  A few hatch's and I'm ready to rock.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

What's the overall length? If you can place your back against the back of the cockpit, not seat, and mostly extend your feet to the front combing of the cockpit, a mirage should work. It may be though that with two yaks used mainly for river/lakes a mirage drive will be superflous. Good buy.

Sooo... here is what i've got.  These are homemade (duh), they have a great solid wood frame, not plywood or press board.  All wood is in great shape, no rot, very few scratch's.  Over the wood frame is some type of fabric (guessing canvas), and that is covered in fiberglass.  1 of them needs a new gel coat (few scratch's and 1 small crack at the waterline), but the other one is ready to get wet.  I'll try to get some detailed pic up tonight if there is any interest.

Since the yak's are fabric, i believe modification may take some work. But step one is going to be to reinforce the bottoms.  They are pretty stout, but i'd feel better if they were a bit stronger.  After that, sky's the limit.