JEM Watercraft

I think that last photo could sell a few boats for Matt Its tempting me. Does the nice weather and beach come with it?

I don't know which I enjoy more your build or your trip reports. They are always outstanding, an these are no exception. Thanks, nicely done.

Richard

Mick
She is a bueaty and must be outstanding to list above your southwind ,that is a huge call from you.
Again fantastic job.

Mick...

I have been sitting back and biding my time , reading your build report and re-reading it , then the trips you are taking with the Okwata.

All I can say is that she is one slick looking craft and you have done several things on building her that have me thinking and that I really like.

*** Like the way you set up the rear hatch cover by making it a storage area that can be removed and taken ashore when doing shore breaks. Or keeping anything in there you want out and in reach but secured.

*** The storage area behind the seat would be a good place for rain coats or fowl weather gear when doing a trip.Close by , protected and there when needed.

*** The area between the sides where you have the seat is some good storage for smaller items like coast/navigation maps or the items a person would want handy , really handy when doing a long trip.

*** The storage , glove compartment or what ever you call it , under the forward deck for your camera to keep it handy , in the shade and protected.
My guess is all those modifications is the reason we build our boats so they are the way we want them , find all of those extras on a store bought boat , if you can..... ....You can't.
Then there is all the storage under the decks , out of the weather.

The Okwata is one boat that could be used for anything the paddler wants to do.

Chuck.

G'day Chuck and thanks for the very kind words mate re some of my fit out ideas. They are simply modifications of other blokes ideas to suit my needs.

The insert tankwell/hatch thingy has turned out very well and I will be definately including this in every build from now on. Not much room/volume in the rear hatch is lost and the convenience of the thing is brilliant for a little tackle/sunscreen or water or anything else that you might want to access easily but don't necessarily want cramping up the space in the cockpit.

This boat is unlike any other kayak I have ever paddled. in ways that are difficult to define.

The fine entry gives a sea kayak like ability to pierce the waves but at the same time, the entry is not so fine as to cause severe pearling when running down a wave. She rides a little higher in the water than the sea kayaks I am used to and this tends to make for a drier ride when punching into chops.

To sit in her at rest, she feels much bigger than she really is and this tends to instil a sense of confidence in this boat - right from the moment one gets into her. This confidence is not unwarranted.

As soon as the weather cools down some, I plan to paddle this boat across Hervey Bay to Fraser Island and back just for the fun of paddling her. Expect lots more piccies of and from this lovely boat.

hairymick wrote:G'day Chuck and thanks for the very kind words mate re some of my fit out ideas. They are simply modifications of other blokes ideas to suit my needs.

The insert tankwell/hatch thingy has turned out very well and I will be definately including this in every build from now on. Not much room/volume in the rear hatch is lost and the convenience of the thing is brilliant for a little tackle/sunscreen or water or anything else that you might want to access easily but don't necessarily want cramping up the space in the cockpit.

This boat is unlike any other kayak I have ever paddled. in ways that are difficult to define.

Mick...

As I said this is the pleasure of building our own boats , we can make all of the modifications that we want for our enjoyment and you have passed the standard that the rest of us did not think of for our paddling enjoyment.

Now ... Don't be patting your self on the back ....... even though you really deserve it but I'm sure some new builders will come up with ideas that we have never thought of. As they say... The game keeps going and getting better all the time.

OK... So it is not them but just me saying that but you have to agree ... No matter what we think of someone out there can always come up with a new idea that works.That is what makes this and our boats so much fun.

Chuck.
PS. You and Texas river rat building a boat together would be ... DANGEROUS ... to say the lease. Dang good thing there is a small pond between the two of you , Matt would go bald pulling his hair out worried about what you guys would do to his boat design.