Laker Question

[Hank]

Hi -

Does the Laker have a flat bottom? Some of the pictures on the detail page make it look like it does, and a couple hint toward the bottom being made up of multiple pieces.

Thanks,
- Hank

[jem]

Slight V so it has 2 pieces that make up the bottom.

FYI: you might want to look at the free plans page.

[Hank]

Thanks for the quick response.

Given the pace at which I'm finishing my Merrimac, there's little need for me to worry about other boats . The slight-V appeals to me and I just might have to try making a Laker when I finish the canoe.

- Hank

[tx river rat]

Matt
What are the advantages of the v bottom on the laker over a flat bottom
Ron

[Hank]

My understanding of the situation is that on a flat bottomed boat the bottom wants to stay flat with respect to the surface of the water it happens to be on. In flat water that's a good thing. In a more up-and-down kind of situation, say minding your business while floating down the river and having a wake come at you from the side, flat with respect to the bottom of the boat can be at quite a bit of an angle away from straight up and down.

And when I flat bottomed boat decides it's time to tip over it does so suddenly.

A round bottomed boat has effectively infinite flat surfaces to act as the bottom so they handle waves from side better.

A V-bottomed boat is somewhere between round and flat so it will handle the waves a bit better than a flat boat, but still me do-able in the actually making a boat department.

Those with better info, please chime in.

- Hank

[tx river rat]

I guess what I am asking does it make the paddling or cruising easier or faster for the same amount of exertion.
Ron

[jem]

better tracking and you'll sit a bit lower in the water. Flat bottoms can often ride you very high in the water and create high center of gravity.

The slight V is also stiff than just a flat bottom.

[Kayak Jack]

You have it pretty good, Hank. Each design has its characteristics. According to application and preference, those characteristics are either advantages or disadvantages.

If you are in quiet, shallow waters, a flat bottom works quite nicely. If you sometimes travel waters that are unsettled and have waves, a rounder bottom will work better.

If you move around in a boat, the flat bottom seems stable right up to the moment of capsize. A round bottom will roll some as you move, but more predictably.

[hairymick]

I have never paddled a flat bottom kayak so I am not in a position to comment re performace comparison.

I am building my Laker out of the cheapest, possible, 3mm or 1/8" interior grade ply and even that, ws from the worst sheets of a batch of ten that I had. (it was all I had left) I am also using 85 gram (3oz I think) woven matt and West Systems premium epoxy resin, inside and out.

The bottom of my boat is rock solid. There is absolutely no oil canning and I can hardly flex the bottom panels at all. I believe a flat bottom covering the same area would flex quite a bit and could make for a noisy boat in small chop.

Hopefully in the next few weeks, I will be able to water test mine and I will post my impressions of this boats on water performance. This boat is being built as a sort of loaner boat and I expect it will be used mostly by novice paddlers. For this reason it needs to be stable and easy and safe to paddle. I think it will fit the bill very nicely indeed.

Hank mate,

here is the best piccie of the bottom I have.

[jheger]

Mick:
What are your thoughts about building the Robin P5 but instead of having a flat bottom, have a little V shaped one like the laker? Thanks.