Increasing freeboard

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Richard
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Joined: Wed Sep 08, 2004 12:27 pm
Location: Wales U.K.

Increasing freeboard

Post by Richard »

A friend wants to use my Hiawatha formers to make a boat, but he requires more volume. Has anyone done this by increasing the freeboard with a few more strips. My concerns are stability. overall handling and the visual effects.
Any input would be appreciated.

Richard
Rick
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Location: Bancroft, Ontario

Post by Rick »

It shouldn't be a problem affecting performace wrt hydrodynamics, since the hull shape below the water line won't change. Windage, the force of the wind affecting the canoe, will increase as the depth increases, especially if the canoe is lightly loaded and riding high in the water.

Steve Killing writes that the Hiawatha was designed for sitting paddlers, and that may account for the lower sides... there may be less height to the gunwales to interefere with paddles (maybe less gunwale banging). You might want to email SK for more info on this.

It's a high-ended canoe with a sharp upturn in the gunwales near the stems rather than a more gradual curve seen in other canoes (eg. Huron). Increasing the depth at the center stations and leaving the stem heights unchanged would provide a nicely-curving sheerline with a batten. And this would reduce windage at the ends as well.

Or you could increase depth of all stations and stems with additional strips to preserve the high-ended look.

If the canoe becomes too deep (usually canoes aren't deeper amidships than 15 inches), you can always cut down the sheer to a lower depth, and restore the hull back to it's original shape.
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Richard
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Post by Richard »

Thanks Rick, some interesting points to consider. I do like the high stems for the visual effect, but I have noticed the problem with windage when paddleing solo. Maybe he will go for the lower profile with higher gunwhales.

Regards,

Richard
bennie
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Post by bennie »

hi Richard,
but he requires more volume
does that mean: more carrying capacity? ( more people and gear ? )

then this means: more displacement
that is: deeper immersed, or larger dimensions underwater
and both are not achieved by increasing the freeboard

eh, "deeper immersed" decreases the freeboard
yes, you can compensate that by adding some strips
but this will not increase the carrying capacity

"deeper immersed" does affect stability (and hydrodynamics)
( and Hiawatha is a "light displacement" design
with stability "that requires skill and experience" to begin with )

adding some strips will have an effect on the sheer, thus on the 'looks'
and yes, that can be worked out, as Rick explains

another approach could be: larger dimensions underwater
which means: another design
or, using the existing forms is worth considering
may be for an enlarged Hiawatha?
increasing the spacing between forms will get you some extra length, and a little extra capacity
and it does affect handling

what is your/his goal? what is the capacity (displacement) you are aiming for?

(i know, this is opinion, not facts or experience :-)

happy newyear,

Ben
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Richard
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Post by Richard »

Hi Ben,
Thanks for your thoughts. This boat will not be for me ,I am very happy paddling my Hiawatha solo, and think it is a great design. The friend who wants to use my forms is looking for greater carrying capacity. He will have to weigh up the pros and cons from these posts and make his decision.
Happy New Year.

Richard
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Sherm
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Location: Milledgeville, Georgia

Post by Sherm »

I've built two Hiawathas, if I needed to increace capacity, and use the same forms.
I would do a stretch" and increase the length. (1 to 2inches distance added between each form) but I'm not sure if this is the best idea.
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Denis
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Location: Lakefield, Ontario

Capacity

Post by Denis »

Perhaps your friend should consider a Prospector style boat which would give him lots of capacity

here is a link he can pursue

http://www.outdoorplace.org/paddling/Pr ... ector1.htm
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Richard
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Location: Wales U.K.

Post by Richard »

Thanks everyone for your input.
Nice Prospector Dennis. I built a Peterborough eight years ago, but unfortunately I canibalized the forms to make the Hiawatha.
If this friend of mine does not want to give the time to make new forms then I think a combination of extra length and a few more strips for added freeboard will be the answer.

Richard
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Patricks Dad
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Post by Patricks Dad »

I don't want to be rude but availability of forms is a bad reason to build the wrong canoe. Taking the extra time to cut the right forms to allow him to build the right canoe makes more sense. I'd hate to have a canoe for decades that I regret building because I took a short cut right in the beginning. In the grand scheme of things, the time to cut forms is pretty insignificant.

Just my opinion.
Randy Pfeifer
(847) 341-0618
Randy.Pfeifer1@gmail.com
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Richard
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Post by Richard »

I agree Randy, but once you have reached a certain age you have to make your own decisions.

Richard
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