November 20, 2004
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If You Can’t Find It, Make It
I‘ve always admired people who build boats. I most especially admire designers who, failing to find the features they want, do what I hope to do one day — make it themselves.
While I was in Newport Beach, I went to Back Bay and met a guy who designed and built a tandem sailing kayak. This beautiful boat has all the features I wish I would have thought of myself. The outriggers provide stability on really windy days. The foot pedals control the rudder, allowing one the freedom to work with the lines. Everything leads right to the cockpit, within easy reach. The hull weighs only 80 lbs (light enough to cartop, although he’s designed trailers for them). The main is roller-furling, which makes rigging and de-rigging 10 times faster than rigging traditional mainsails, not to mention not having to fold it on the sand after use. The outriggers collapse to make the total beam about 3 feet, but they are also removeable.
The seats face forward and are molded, he said, after chairs designed by some guy who made furniture in the ’60-’70′s. He said he prefers facing foward when sailing because he’s used to facing forward in land-sailing. (North American Land Sailing Association)
It’s a lovely design, and I was impressed with all the thoughtful details. He said it took him years to design a boat that he wanted, and he doesn’t like to do computer graphics. He said he prefers to just go ahead and build one to see what works and what needs to be changed.
There are 15 of these cute things in existence.He let me sail it around Back Bay for a while, and I have to say, it is a sweet little boat, although the outriggers slow it down a little bit. He said he’d help cover shipping costs, if I wanted to buy one, my being out-of-state and all. Give me another year of paychecks, and I just might take him up on that offer.
Marvelous idea! But don’t take my word for it. If you’re ever in Newport Beach, I recommend stopping by Back Bay. He’ll probably give you a test drive too.
