You can trim some weight , not a lot , but some from the fillet material if you use less wood flour and more of the glass bubbles , plus making a thinner fillet along the seams.
Hiking, hunting, fishing, camping or portaging ... the old adage of an ounce in the morning becomes a pound in the evening, holds true.
Chuck.
Remember:
Amateurs built the Ark...... Professionals built the Titanic
Visit some fine paddlers at The Southern Paddler
Very good thinking, Matt. Trimming 5 pounds is serious weight loss. (Just think how much better Chuckie and I would look if we each lost 5 pounds!)
Having a deck makes this boat much more robust and able to take grief than an open canoe. And my 4mm kayaks take a helluva lot of grief on rocks, logs, etc. 4mm on the bottom with graphite, and 3 mm above the water line will make a difference. We portagers will appreciate it - believe me.
And even non-portagers have to lift the thing up on top of some vehicle.
This boat will need a rudder too, to be paddled in its most efficient mode. I'd also figure where and how to punch a hole in the foredeck, reinforce it, and place a mast step. This baby will SING!
Kayak Jack
Doing what you like is FREEDOM
Liking what you do is HAPPINESS
I spent most of my money on whiskey and women - and I'm afraid I just wasted the rest.
Kayak Jack
Doing what you like is FREEDOM
Liking what you do is HAPPINESS
I spent most of my money on whiskey and women - and I'm afraid I just wasted the rest.