Texas Kayak Fisherman Boat Builder Roundup
at Inks Lake, May 15
The Texas Kayak Fisherman annual Boat Builder Roundup organized
by designer/builder Gerald Kennedy of Brazos Boat Works in Gatesville
took place this year on Saturday, May 15 at Inks Lake State Park.
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Triple X fishing boat that Gerald Kennedy designed
and was at the time still building for Tom Stubblefield, owner
of Texaskayakfishing.com |
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Photo from bow of Triple X above. |
About a dozen builders and boats showed up, with boats ranging
from fairly simple flat bottom kayaks to rather elaborate, custom-designed
sit on top boats, some of which were designed specifically for
fishing. A few were not completely finished, but that didn't stop
us from taking them out for a spin.
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CLC Stitch & Glue strip deck hybrid that
John Werner had built, contributing some assistance to the
build himself. |
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Sit On Top prototype with the appearance of
a conventional sea kayak that Gerald Kennedy designed and
built for John Werner. |
While weather the night before included thunderstorms, those
brave souls who declared they'd rather get wet than miss such
a fun event were rewarded with clear skies and weather in the
80's for a good time that couldn't be beat. Folks from as far
as the Houston area and as close as 'just across the lake' arrived
at various times during the morning, and by noon most of us were
there. Several group paddles to the far end of the sheltered boating
area close to the state park were made, and many folks borrowed
someone else's boat to see how it handled. By mid afternoon most
were headed back home, but it just goes to show that you never
know what the weather will be like in Texas.
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Photo from bow of Sit On Top above. |
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JEM design built by Mike Tuttle. |
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JEM design built by Mike Tuttle. |
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Built by John Farrell from another JEM design.
The first boat (of Luann ply, weighing 53 lbs.) was used as
template to bench build strip panels for the second boat (weighing
37.5 lbs.), and then both were assembled. |
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Built by John Farrell. Set to stand up. |
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Built by John Farrell. Yes he's standing. |
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Built by John Farrell. Inside the above boat. |
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Built by John Farrell. The two boats. |
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Built by John Farrell and showing the bottom. |
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Built by John Farrell |
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Wee Rob (Iain Oughtred design) double paddle
canoe stretched to 13.5 feet and built as a cedar stripper
by Steve Lansdowne. |
Keep your eye on the Duckworks Calendar to learn when the TKF
Boat Builder Roundup will be for 2011. Next year’s TKF Roundup
will feature a lightweight boat building competition.
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