Lighter Kayaks

We have just finished building the first Solander in Carbon/Kevlar and it came out almost 2.5 pounds lighter than our normal Kevlar Solander.  The weight of the finished boat was 39.4 pounds.  For those requiring an even lighter boat there is the possibility of saving some more weight with a lighter seat, footrests and rudder without compromising boat strength.  The weights in our catalogue are now a little heavier than the actual boat weights.  Mostly we are 2-4 pounds lighter.  We have achieved this by carefully refining how we layup and assemble our kayaks. 

We also have built our second Illusion.  This one is a special order for a dealer who will be installing his own seat and footrests.  The weight on this one should end up under 38 pounds including the skeg and day hatch.  Getting rid of the day hatch would get you to around 35 pounds. 

Directions on installing rudder deployment rope.

To replace the rudder deployment line first pull the washer out of the bow grap loop to start. 

  It helps to use a pair of needle nose pliers to reach into the grap loop to pull the washer out.

Tie the new cord onto the washer and pull in to the grap loop.  Feed the other end into the plastic tube until it exits out the back of this tube near the rudder.  Now run the cord through the left side hole in the rudder block.  It will be the hole directly in front of the exit tubing.

Now feed the rope through the rear most hole in the rudder blade, out the other side and into the front hole and back to the left side.  Pass the rope around the cord and back through the back hole.  You tie an overhand knot to lock the cord in place. 

This is the finished knot.

Here's what it looks like on the other side.

Now feed the rope around the black disk and out through the hole in the back of the rudder block.

        

Run end of rope back through the opposite tubing, exiting back onto the deck.

Rudder loops configuration (WHILE RUDDER BLADE IS UP) should look like this for newer boats, but note will be the opposite for older models.

Tie off around washer using any knot to stop the rope from slipping as close to the exit tubing as possible.