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Northwoodsman
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04/12/2016 01:52PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
I have had the urge to build a stripper for several years now and I may actually finally have the time in the foreseeable future. I have the tools and many years of furniture building experience and general woodworking skills. I am trying to decide on the model. I want to first build a solo. I am not that worried about speed. My desires are in this order: 1) stability (initial and secondary), 2) capacity (400-450 lb. capacity, 3) good straight tracking, and 4) weight (under 45 lbs.). I did a trip last summer with my brother in a MN II and hated how tippy it felt, even loaded down. I didn't enjoy the time on the actual water. I want something that I can paddle by myself, either empty or loaded down, on a leisurely trip enjoying the scenery, fishing along the way, and not worry about waves or wind on bigger bodies of water.

Any recommendations? My initial thought is a NWC Merlin or 38 Special.
 
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04/13/2016 08:42AM  
I have a 38 special and it fits your definition well!

 
Cedarboy
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04/13/2016 01:39PM  
The 38 Special is a bigger boat. Original Merlin plans bumped up by 3.8%, hence the name. I built one and didnt like the way it turned. Sold it.
Now have built a John Winters Osprey, but added an extra form(widest, dont remember the number). It is a fuller boat to begin with and with the added length its is more like a Swift Shearwater. J Winters designed the Shearwater also, but I could not find plans. I like Winters designs.
Back on track, the NWC Merlin was relofted by Dennis to give it more bow rocker for turning than the Original Bruce Koontz Merlin.
If you want a bigger boat to build you may need to do what I did.
NWC Merlin with extra widest form or Osprey with extra WF.
Have fun with the build.
CB
 
Alan Gage
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04/13/2016 02:20PM  
J Winters designed the Shearwater also, but I could not find plans.


I haven't done it but, supposedly, if you get ahold of Marten Step at Greenval he can get you plans for the Shearwater.

Unless the extra large volume of the Shearwater is required I think the Osprey is quite stable. If you like hard tracking boats it might take a little getting used to. It did for me but I get along fine with it now.

Alan
 
1JimD
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04/14/2016 07:25AM  
Hands down, one of the best designs out there is Bruce Kunz'z 38 spl. !!!
If you can track down a set of His original plans, you will be more than happy !!
A 38 spl. by Kunz is the real deal !
It's designer is a Minesotian to top it off !
My 2 cents

Jim
 
Northwoodsman
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04/15/2016 09:24PM  
Thanks for the feedback and help. I want to make sure I understand it correctly for the 38 Special -
1. Do you add an extra form in the middle or do you add extra space between each form?
2. How long of a canoe do you end up with?
3. Do you re-loft each form and end up with a boat that is also slightly wider?
4. How would I track down a set of those plans?
 
1JimD
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04/16/2016 09:28PM  
Bruce's 38 calls for 12 1/2" form spacing, giving you about a 16' 1" canoe.
The pattern is as stated, an enlarged Merlin, by .38%

I have a set of plans, but I'm not comfortable about copying. This site would be a good place to find the original plans.

Jim
 
Bernjo
member (13)member
  
04/19/2016 04:08PM  
Hi JimD,

What do you think of the Bruce Kunz designs Kootney Solo & Tandem offered by MCA?

Thanks,
Bernard
 
Northwoodsman
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04/19/2016 05:00PM  
1JimD,

Is the 38 Special just 3.8% longer, or is it 3.8% wider, deeper, etc. also.
 
1JimD
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04/19/2016 06:55PM  
quote Bernjo: "Hi JimD,


What do you think of the Bruce Kunz designs Kootney Solo & Tandem offered by MCA?


Thanks,
Bernard "


Bruce's Kootenay is his Merlin with Kootenay stems. I have those plans, and layed them on top of the Merlin.
 
1JimD
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04/19/2016 06:58PM  
quote Northwoodsman: "1JimD,

Is the 38 Special just 3.8% longer, or is it 3.8% wider, deeper, etc. also."

The forms were computer enlarged in all dimensions, and the spacing was stretched to 12 1/2".
 
04/19/2016 09:18PM  
quote 1JimD: "
quote Northwoodsman: "1JimD,


Is the 38 Special just 3.8% longer, or is it 3.8% wider, deeper, etc. also."

The forms were computer enlarged in all dimensions, and the spacing was stretched to 12 1/2".
"


That's what I did...enlarged them 3.8%, then changed the last 3 forms to modify the rocker and use the inner/outer stem method.
 
1JimD
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04/20/2016 07:36AM  

No hull is perfect, but adding a little rocker to Bruce's 38 spl. is a good idea.

You can do it with the forms, or modify the stems, by rounding them at the waterline.
 
Wild-one
member (42)member
  
04/28/2016 11:57AM  
I built the original merlin but shaved 1/16th of an inch off of each form to add a little rocker. I'm 5'7" 175lbs and love the merlin. I can keep up with tandems and it tracks awesome. I would take the canoe anywhere, empty or loaded down.
 
Cedarboy
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04/28/2016 12:40PM  
quote Northwoodsman: "1JimD,

Is the 38 Special just 3.8% longer, or is it 3.8% wider, deeper, etc. also."



The plans for a 38 Special have already been increased by 3.8% for you. All aspects of the plans are 3.8% bigger. That is how they came up with the boat. You dont need to do anything to the plans. They are a separate set of plans from the original Merlin.
CB
 
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