Starting Out

Building the Murrelet by Pygmy Boats

First launch hours after the ice out

So begins the second round of building a Pygmy kayak.  In the winter and spring of 2013 I built the Pinguino 4PD (right) and this fall I will start the Murrelet.  Both boats are similar in design.

The Pinguino is sturdy, responsive, and light.  I have taken on the heavy winds through the lakes of Minnesota and the Missouri River.  Rarely do I feel as if I may tip.  The only real time I have swamped the boat is when I have tried to complete the Greenland roll (with no success).

Travels well on the car!

Without a keel the boat is easy to maneuver with just a slight tilt of the hips.  The boat is great!  We live in central Minnesota and paddling with the rising Sun and wailing Loons cannot be matched.  It is unique.  I expect the Murrelet will be similar and allow more storage for journeys into the larger lakes of the BWCA and Lake Superior.

The following posts will act as my journal and hopefully a place for others to learn from my mistakes and successes.

Overall, I plan to move at a quick pace.  I was able to identify when I can perform multiple tasks by building the Pinguino and I hope to refine that with the Murrelet.

Wish me luck!