2 launches in 2 days

Erik, Belgium · Post by **Erik, Belgium** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 4:36 am

On saturday we launched Johan's sailing kayak (a converted Guillemot Expedition Single). The plans for the conversion kit were bought from CLC boats. The sailing loom is 4,5m in high. With a light breeze of 2 to 3 beaufort windforce (?) this sailing kayak instantly accelerated to 4 to 5 knots (6 - 8 km/h).

more pics: http://www.qajaq.be/Johan3.htm

And on sunday we launched the 'Qarajaq'. Qarajaq stands for "qajaq for my daughter Kara'. Qarajaq also is a large gletscher that ends in Disko Fjord, near Disko Bay where the original was designed somewhere around 1959).
The model is a 'Disko Bay', design by Hans Friedel of Sweden. With slightly altered dimensions (5.20m x 50 cm instead of 5.15m by 53 cm), she turned out to be a straight tracking kayak, yet responsive to leans and turnes. Rolling and bracing isn't very much of a problem either. The skeg and seat still have to be finished, but I couldn't resist to take her out.

more pics: http://www.qajaq.be/DiskoBay.htm

Erik, Belgium

Glen Smith · Post by **Glen Smith** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 10:43 am

Both boats look great and the sailing looks like a fun way to get around.

Roscoe · Post by **Roscoe** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 3:26 pm

Well done Johan and Erik.

There's a lot of nice work and fun to be had in both those boats.

Roscoe

canoeblderinmt · Post by **canoeblderinmt** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 8:38 pm

Erik,
Very nice work on both of the boats. I'm sure you and Johan are very happy. Great shot of you on the roll, also. As soon as I get my roll perfected on my canoe, I'll post some pics!

Greg

Jim Dodd · Post by **Jim Dodd** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 9:46 pm

Johan sure makes sailing look tempting! I'd like to try it someday!
The Disko is Awesome!
Keep up the great work!
Belgium sure has some great builders over there!
Jim

geordie · Post by **geordie** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 12:48 pm

Dag Eric
Lovely looking kayak. Please tell us what that oblong patch is, just aft and starboard of the cockpit. It looks like a cut-out, but I can't think of what for, so I presume that it's a nameplate.
Also, what type of wood is the deck and hull made of?? Does this wood yellow over time??

Veels geluk
Geordie

Scot T · Post by **Scot T** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 9:52 pm

Nice looking boats Eric. Say, why is it that you kayak guys like to get a dunking by turning your boats over? Isn,t the whole idea of "proper" boating NOT to tip them over??? :confused :big grin

Erik, Belgium · Post by **Erik, Belgium** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 4:18 am

hi Geordie,

The wood is picea abies (Nordic spruce), which I brought home on a trip to Sweden. It has grown in a colder climate, and has very few knots. Indeed the color will darker (or yellow) a bit over time.
The cutout area behind the coaming actually is a skeg sliding box, from where I can lower an internal skeg.

Erik, Belgium.