Home - Info Download - Constructive details - The VP in action - Useful links - Retrofits

Forewords

Hi! my name is Rodolfo Maurette and I am from Argentina. As several people were interested in this boat, I have decided to include in this page some information about how it was built in order to share my humble experience, but please advert that it aren't detailed plans of the boat but only a guide of how to build. You can follow these instructions but will need to do some study of the project by yourself.  The ribs construction measures, and overall dimensions were checked and you can trust in them, but please read completely all the instructions and check parts dimensions given before cut tubes, plates etc. in order to be sure that no mistakes exists in that dimensions.

I would like to express my gratitude to Thomas D. Yost ( http://www.yostwerks.com ) from Colorado , USA who generously shared his deep knowledge and experience with me. With his help I could finish this project successfully. Thanks Tom !!!

General specifications:

I have designed this kayak with resemblance to Klepper, Pouch, Folbot, etc. but isn't an exact copy of none of them. It may transport two adults persons with his complete equipment, being the maximum load about 250 Kg. (About 525 lbs.) The construction time is about 250/300 hours. The frame have aluminum stringers and seven plywood ribs. The skin is made with a common type canvas which is made with a polyester bi-directional textile covered with PVC. The hull cover is only one piece, using the Tom Yost's covering method (See www.yostwerks.com) , but the deck cover have a total of six pieces. All pieces are glued with PVC glue and haven't stitches. I put a rudder to the boat as it made government of it more easy specially in long trips and cross wind. The rudder is commanded from the aft position. The rib # 2 is provided with a fitting which permit to put a mast for sailing. The boat also has sponsons which permit to stretch the skin and give to the ship improved stability and rigidity. The rib # 4 works as support for the rudder pedals, but if you think to paddle this boat alone and without other load, you will need to put your seat around the rib # 4 in order to achieve a good balance, then may be necessary to build other type of rib and a different pedals support.

Length: 5,13 m (w/o rudder ~ 5,65 with rudder)

Max wide w/o sponsons: 0.76 m

Max wide with sponsons: 0.86 m

Weight: 35 kg

Max. useful load: 250 kg.

Folded dimensions:

Bag # 1 135 cm x 35 cm x 30 cm.

Bag # 2 60 cm x 50 cm x 18 cm

Assembly time: 30 minutes aprox. (it will diminish with practice or with a helper).

Frame construction: Aluminum tubes 6063-T6 3/4" OD x 0.059" wall thick (1.5 mm).

Marine grade plywood 1/2" thick for the ribs.

Stainless hardware.

Skin: PVC canvas

In this link you will found twelve .pdf files which have all the info I have available about my boat. By the way, please excuse me for the poor English language. If you need further explanation about any detail, please don't doubt and mail me to the following address:

rodonet@fibertel.com.ar .

If you found this information useful, please let me know mailing me a couple of words, as it will be my only reward. Thanks in advance !!!

Disclaimer

This information is free to the user. By downloading or using this information to construct the kayak carries with it the acceptance by the builder / user to all responsibility and liability. Permission is granted to the builder / user to construct one copy of the design for personal use only. Commercial reproduction of the kayak, drawings, or instructions is prohibited.

Request

If you detect any malfunction in this page, please drop me an e-mail to rodonet@fibertel.com.ar . Thanks!