Another Thrilled Redbird Builder Floating His New Boat

thechrisperkins · Post by **thechrisperkins** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 4:20 pm

Gents,

After five months of working weekends, I have achieved sucess by floating my Redbird... Not to say that she is finished, just that it is summer, it is beautiful out, and I couldn't wait to get her wet!!!

I have a few more details to add, like a brass strip for the bow/stern, and floatation compartents which we all know are there to hide the messy area at inside of the stem.

Here she is getting ready to leave the house Saturday on the way to great adventure.
[IMG:749:562]http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i40/t ... _email.jpg[/img]

Okay, I admit it. I chickened out and found a nice small protected lake to give her a maiden float. And she floats level!
[IMG:691:518]http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i40/t ... tfloat.jpg[/img]
Oops, I forgot to take my roof-rack pads off.
:rolling eyes
On Sunday, I took her for her maiden "voyage" down to the Mosel river, the famous wine region of Germany, near a town named Cochem.

May I introduce you to "Jules." I'm naming her after the most adventuresome person that I know, because I know she's going to take me on adventures!
[IMG:787:574]http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i40/t ... _email.jpg[/img]

And just for fun, sometimes you gotta take that "Christmas Card" picture... in July!
[IMG:749:562]http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i40/t ... _email.jpg[/img]

If you follow this link, it should take you to the photobucket site where I have some more posted. http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i40/thechrisperkins/

I have a few people I need to publicly thank. First, all you fellow builders for sound advice, whether asked for, or found. And one other in particular. Mr. Robert Huffman, manager of the Spangdahlem AFB woodshop, for generously letting me monopolize an entire room, for seven months. And, for being the rational sounding board for my sometimes hairbrained ideas. He is in a few of the pictures on the photobucket link.

All told, I couldn't be happier. Jules floats straight and level, and even after two outings, I have a "Redbird Grin!" I did most of the paddling solo, and found that the nose is relatively high, initially causing me to think I put my seat too far back. Once we had two people in... perfect! She tracks a true line when both seats have paddlers, but it took me about a half an hour to figure out that when solo, a lean will help her carve really nice turns. I even learned some new math: Paddling on the right side + leaning to the right side = straight line!

The details:
Time: 7 Months total, 5 months of actual work (active duty military deployments). About 410-420 hours
Cost: Just over $1400 USD. I don't have an itemized break down. I spent a little more building the boat in Europe due to the exchange rate, and international shipping rates. I'm also not including the extra goodies like new tools, or renting the shop space on Base.
Mistakes: Countless... But I bet you'll never find 'em! :eyebrows
Fun: I can't wait to start my next boat. And I'm going to generate some comments with this one... Can anybody recommend a good Kayak? :twisted evil

Have fun on the water this summer!
-Chris

Post by **Patricks Dad** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 5:31 pm

Congratulations! she looks fantastic. You finished the job very quickly. Enjoy!

Bassbug · Post by **Bassbug** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 6:34 pm

Chris,

Beautiful job.....another fine looking bird!

Dale

mtpocket · Post by **mtpocket** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 8:56 pm

Chris,

You've done a fabulous job. I especially like the decks with the grab handles. It's nice to see more Redbirds. They're my favorite. Congrats on your job very well done. Maybe you should offer Mr. Robert Huffman a ride in your work of art.

David James · Post by **David James** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 5:51 am

Hey Chris,

your new Redbird looks wunderbar! Well done. I like the tie down / grab handles.

Dave in Glenview, Il

canoeblderinmt · Post by **canoeblderinmt** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 9:09 am

Chris,
A beautiful job!

The wood looks beautiful under that glass and varnish, it really shows the beauty of the grain and accents.

Many happy years of paddling.

Greg

Bryan Hansel · Post by **Bryan Hansel** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 10:06 am

Looks great!

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What kind of kayak?

georgeandpat · Post by **georgeandpat** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 11:12 am

As a future Redbird builder let me say thanks for the inspiration. Beautiful!!!

geordie · Post by **geordie** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 2:50 pm

Well done from another Birdman still busy building.
Flotation tanks??? I would rather go the pro-prep,
sand paper, epoxy and varnish route on a classic like the Redbird.
Look out for mine in a month or two and many happy paddles to you
G

Roscoe · Post by **Roscoe** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 8:10 am

Well done that man

A fine looking craft.

Enjoy

DP · Post by DP » Fri Jul 28, 2006 8:12 am

Chris
Terrific job, you should be very proud. I like the string clamp idea. Going to use that myself. You mentioned in your post that the bow seemed to ride to high out of the water when paddling solo. Might I suggest, sitting in the bow seat and face the stern. Paddling this way puts your weight closer to the centre of the canoe and will bring the bow down.

pawistik · Post by **pawistik** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 5:58 pm

Very nice. I too really like the decks with handles - a nice functional detail. Do you mind taking some close up photos specifically of the decks/handles so we can better see how you did it?

Cheers,
Bryan