Thread: First wooden boat: Michalak Piragua

Originally Posted by BobWes

Rick -

That's an interesting design... looks like it moves well - and stable.

Planning to launch at Nimbus Flats... Lake Natoma, US 50 at Hazel Avenue (left at the top of the exit, over the highway, first right - pretty sure it is the first right otherwise follow the signs) If you can, come on over... 1:00 PM next Saturday... My Goat will be rough - unfinished but with good reason to launch now and complete the fit-out later...

Bob, If I'm not tied up with stuff I might swing out that way.

Rick,

It would be great to see you Saturday. I'm hoping the weather holds. As much as we need rain, do we really need it on Saturday afternoon?

Bob & Rick (for the future).

Take a long hard look at Jim Michalak's Ladybug.

I have just finished building one & it is FAR BETTER looking than I imagined!....& roomy as hell.

One very interesting boat with loads of storage/buoyancy & oh so simple in concept.

Certainly not a performance boat like the "Goat",but not nearly as tippy either!

Just waiting for the paint to harden before launching.

Al Burke.

Al,

Great looking boat you have there! Please post pics of the launch!

Funny that you suggest the Ladybug design. I've been engaged in a discussion with a friend over what design to build for a camp cruiser - and the Ladybug is a top pick. What prompted my interest in the design was my perception that the Goat didn't have the room to be a camp-cruiser and certainly didn't provide any place to sleep (a prerequisite as shore side camping isn't available in much of the local waters I'd be exploring). Ladybug seemed to offer things the Goat doesn't.

However, after assembled and launched my Goat, I am changing my mind about its suitability for camp-cruising. Outfitted with a sleep-platform spanning the aft cockpit and loaded with gear and supplies I believe the Goat will let me explore the backwaters of the California Delta quite nicely.

I haven't finished outfitting the hull or built the sleep platform components as yet but I will share pics and info as I do.

Looking forward to your launch.

Nice job there Al.

I have the GIS on the to-do list at some point, but unfortunately, right now I am constrained by storage space. Both the mayfly and the GIS are too bulky and/or heavy to cartop, and due to the asinine homeowner's association, I can't store a boat on its trailer in my garage. Having a trailered boat means I'd have to rent storage space away from home which is a killer for spur of the moment after work sailing. The Wa'apa that I have building will fill the bill as solo camp cruiser quite handily as well as being "large" boat that is also easily storeable and transportable on the lumber racks of my pickup.