Canoe with a View : : Canadian Open Canoe forum

I am sure mine (15ft) is not that wide, about half that... will look in daylight tomorrow

Ok, on behalf of CwaV I have braved my dark garden and the bow of my 15ft Apache is just under a half an inch.

HTH

Cheers Mark, you brave man going out in the dark with it being Halloween

1/2" is not too bad, it does tail away to the rocker which is good looking at your photo's.

Shame that Stu did not put some better pictures on his new website, at least most of the music has gone

Quote:Shame that Stu did not put some better pictures on his new website, at least most of the music has gone

As a photographer I have to agree, the design of the web site does not allow large photos which is a shame as the product is photogenic.

Found the shot I was looking for



This is what I mean by a sharp entry line on a composite boat, you may even recognise the boat

In terms of differences, I cannot comment on the handling or paddling but I have been told a little about the manufacturing differences.

This is hearsay, so if I am incorrect please don't shoot me. Apparently the Apache and the Birch Creek and manufactured using 'chopped strand fibreglass' whilst the Mega is made from layered cloth composites. The Mega is also available in different 'lay-ups' including fibreglass and Carbon-Kevlar.

There are differences in how these materials perform when rammed against rocks on the bed of a Yorkshire river. The chopped strand build will puncture more easily but is more easily repaired. The cloth is less likley to puncture, but delamination may occur over a much wider area than a small puncture. The repair of a cloth built boat is much more difficult. I suspect the cloth structure will be stronger over a larger area allowing a lighter build up.

Cheers, Windy

Yep, agree with that, the difference in lay-up obviously effects the strength and also the price as cloth sheet's are more expensive than chop-strand, de-lamination should not be a problem, only ever had one carbon kevlar boat de-laminate and that was a prototype