JEM Watercraft

Matt,

Just wanted to let you know that I did receive the plans package for the Freedom 15, today.

I am studying them, right now. First day the weather allows, I'll be picking up the plywood. (Today was NOT that day!) Rain won't be a building issue, I'll be working indoors. I really don't want to drive for an hour or so, with plywood soaking up rain water in the truck bed.

I will start a thread in the "Builder's Log" section, when I get this going.

Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL

Good on ya Mike. Freedom is calling me too

Mick, (or anyone else,)

While waiting for clear skies to pick up the wood, I'm thinking about what I'll need to rig the boat. I don't want to wait too far into the build to decide, because I'll probably have to order the bits & pieces, not having found much available locally. (Might see if one of the kayak shops down in Tampa or up towards Homosassa has any stock, though.)

Currently, I'm thinking about maybe going with a pair of the Berkly rod holders up front, since those can be removed when not fishing and they are fully adjustable. Behind the seat, perhaps flush mount rod holders.

Don't want to mess up the fore deck with a hatch, so I'm thinking that could use a simple bungee tie-down point. (Criss-crossed square.) I'm also thinking about a hatch behind the seat for a drop-in plastic bin like on your Wadefish, or a making a drop-in ice box cooler to fit.

What do you think?

Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL

Mike,

I can recommend Duckworks,

http://www.duckworksbbs.com/hardware/ca ... /index.htm

For the kayak foot braces (You ((Nanette)) wile love these)

http://www.duckworksbbs.com/hardware/ca ... /index.htm

Well worth the money!

Also check out their fine range of scrapers. (brilliant for cleaning up resin runs)

http://www.duckworksbbs.com/tools/scrap ... /index.htm

They also sell epoxy resin and fibreglass cloth at very good prices.

Chuck and Sandra are good people to deal with and I buy most of my bits and pieces here now.

Re the rodholders, Bass Pro have the best prices I can find and are also very good to deal with. - Sort of like a big boys (or girls) toy shop.

Don't want to mess up the fore deck with a hatch, so I'm thinking that could use a simple bungee tie-down point. (Criss-crossed square.)

Good idea

I'm also thinking about a hatch behind the seat for a drop-in plastic bin like on your Wadefish, or a making a drop-in ice box cooler to fit.

The only limit is your imagination mate. My plastic tub insert works well for me. An entrance for a drop in cooler would work equally well.
darn it, ya got me thinking now of the possibilities with the much bigger Freedom. Calling, Calling Calling

I agree with Mick about duckworks, thats where I got the foot braces for my Wadefish 2.0.

For stuff you can also try:

http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc

or

http://kayakfishinggear.com/index.asp

For screw out deck plates, either Bass Pro on-line, or Cabela's on-line.

DM

Thanks for the tips! I'll use this thread as a reference when I start ordering stuff.

Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL

Mike, if I may? I'd strongly suggest that you add a strap to secure your hatch covers. Bungees alone leave you susceptible to losing a hatch cover in heavy waves. then, a hold can flood and your are in trouble.

Once water begins to fill one end of the boat, it gets heavier, sinks lower, and fills faster. If one end of the boat sinks from a flooded compartment, you cannot recover from the problem. The situation gets worse at an ever increasing rate.

Ever hear of the Edmund Fitzgerald? Samo samo.

Just my take on it.

oooooooh! I hadn't thought of that one!

Jack, that sounds like a very good idea. I'll remember that one.

Mike S.

I'd rather read stuff written by you than about you.

Can't get on the 'Net from my desktop computer, so I'm posting this from my Blackberry.

Didn't make the trip to get the plywood today, got started too late! I will get an early start in the AM.

Interesting NOTE:
I can post here with the Blackberry device, but Southern Paddler blocks me when I try to do that.

Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL