Wooden Kayaks

Wood Stripe Boats

Enjoying the beauty of wood in all its forms made me start to build wooden canoes and kayaks for our tours here at Laguna Bacalar.
Since 9 months now I paddle one of Nick Schade's design, the Petrel.

Wood stripes are pine and the outside is stained
mahogany to get this dark red uniform color. The
recessed cockpit allows me to lean fare back for
rolling.
It is only 20 inches wide so paddling with the
traditional Greenland paddle is an easy task but many guests are surprised that this stick works at all.

After the first paddle days I got used to this quite narrow kayak  and the more I use it the more I grow in to the "Petrel" and it becomes more and more an extension of my lower body. 

 But since you can't stand on one leg, I started with a other sea kayak from the same designer, just a bit wider ( 24 inch ) and with more volume for more gear on longer expeditions.
The Great Auk is a fast and stable sea kayak for beginners or if you need more space for multi day camping trips.
The hull and deck are finished and I'm waiting for the epoxy, that I can start to cover it in fiber glass.

  

Kayaking Laguna Bacalar

Short Tour through Bacalar's Mangroves

Finally the sun is coming through the morning clouds and Laguna Bacalar shows it's outstanding colors. The new wooden kayak glides silently around mangroves and little islands.

We spot two stingrays and a turtle in the crystal clear water but this morning there are not many birds to see.

Channels just as wide as the kayaks gives us access in to this beautiful and peaceful area. 

                

                                                

After a break with fruit, cereal bars and a swim we head back to Villas Ecotucan and the tail wind let us surf some small waves and makes this an easy paddle for the return. 

 

Hawaiian outrigger canoe

Malolo's first sail with 3 friends

After building new cross beams and a trampoline, but still having trouble with boom and yard ( just to heavy ) I set some old windsurfer masts up instead.

Even if the new beams are quite heavy and probably oversize thy look great and can carry a lot of wight. First sail with the new set up and it work quit OK. Since the mast is to close to the center tacking is not easy and "Malolo" is turning in to the wind. Next time I will move the leebord  back hope it helps.