Thread: Eureka - payload question...

Hi Ribor and welcome,
Boatmik has been busy giving us a lesson on laminating in boat construction in this thread so he may have missed your post.

Eureka is designed for two plus gear I'm sure but Mik will give you the designers detail.

Cheers
Mike

Hi Ribor,

Sorry I did not see your message until now.

I think that you and your wife and one child will be OK.

I don't know how it will go with two children. Probably OK ... but you may have to stay with smooth water.

Any Eureka builders who have finished their boats have an idea?

Best wishes
Michael

I reckon the eureka will carry 3 adults(80kg) ok... it goes brilliantly with 2, so I dont imagine that the extra person will make a huge difference... on flat water.

However, 3 men, esky, fishing rods.... that might be pushing it!

Cheers Nick, Any idea of the weights you have been carrying so far?

MIK

I estimate, about 170kg (375lbs) , and then we were going well... I'll try with more next time I'm out..

The record for the PDR is 12 people and a dog. Ill see how many the Eureka can hold

Yes !

Please do report the Eureka's boat depth, and approx. carrying capacity.

Does it carry 550 pounds total in good style ?
Is it at least 12 1/2 " in depth ?
ALSO: what is the length of the cargo space between the bulkheads ?

Wonder why this common spec info is not easily available on this beautiful craft ?

I am planning to use this canoe for light wilderness tripping/portaging and it seems ideal.

Just want these details please !
Am planning to build one this winter.
Best wishes,
Wavy

Howdy Wes,

The hull is 316mm deep in the middle, though there will be some variation between individual boats. This is just about 12 7/16.

The space between bulkheads is 3177mm = 10ft 6 3/4"

I am not sure if she has the weight capacity that you need. I will check how much freeboard that leaves her with in the next couple of days.

Best wishes
Michael Storer.

OK Wes,

Just checked it ... problem of course is what is overladen is subjective. Sounds like a lot of weight particularly if you are planning to portage. I have attached an image of the boat appearance when laden like this. the distortions of the shape at one end are because my software doesn't handle canoe sterns very well.

The minimum freeboard is about 169mm when displacing 600lbs. This equals 6 5/8".

The 600 lbs is because the weight you want to carry has to be added to the hull weight.

Hope this helps you gain some idea whether the boat will meet your requirement.

Best wishes
Michael Storer

Dear Michael,

Many thanks for this info.
I think it is going to work out just fine.
It is such an inspired design, leaves me wanting to adapt my needs to it.
Our body weight is only 310# for two people, and our gear will not be more than 150# in any case for a week-long trip.

Curious what you may measure about the carrying capacity , but it still feels like it
will handle the situations at hand.
Besides, my wife says she really liked the pictures of it and that is a big plus factor.

Happy trails,

Wes

Howdy Wes,

It sounds like you have a lot more background in canoe touring than most of us in OZ. I did notice the specificity of your questions.

I look at the US and Canadian Canoeing websites and am amazed at some of the trips people undertake ... wonderful stuff.

I suspect that most users here in Australia fit in the day paddling mould - at the moment all our long rivers are virtually dry.

So would be great to see how the Eureka goes in more extended use. Out of the plywood boats she will work well, I think. The lightweight Eureka that was built is used by a couple that do have a lot of canoing experience and they like the boat. Like it enough to get pictures of it in various magazines including the WEST System publication EPOXYWORKS. WEST System also used it for some ads here - marketing message was "pretty boat - light weight". All true I think.

Look forward to some reviews.

Best wishes
Michael

Hi Michael,
Pleasure to hear more canoe talk.
The info indicates the Eureka will be a lovely craft for the purpose at hand.
Our actual weight will likely be around 430# maximum with two paddlers and gear .
We hope to post a picture of the new Eureka canoe in a local setting next spring .
Most happy to offer a review at that time.
Peace,
Wes

Howdy Wes,

Did you see the discussion about the stability on my website. Make sure the seats are not slippy Many are designing their own seats ... and people are mounting them much higher than I drew them.

Much better for long trips.

Best wishes.