Welcome to Kudzu Craft, designers and builders of ultra light (SOF) Skin on Frame kayaks and kits.

VARDO when finished weighted about 24 pounds. My Curlew design with a heavy weight skin weighted 32 lbs. With the 7 oz skin it should tip the scales around 22 lbs. Substantially less than a similar sized plastic or fiberglass boat!

Of course final weight will vary with each boat and depends on wood choice and which skin you use. But these weights are typical. These were not special built boats. These were built exactly like I recommend you build yours.

Imagine after a day of paddling while everyone is taking turns helping each other haul the boats to the vehicles, you just pick up your boat with one hand and carry it back to your car. No struggling or straining to load it either. You just pick it up and put it in place. Your only concern is a strong wind blowing the boat away. Add to that the satisfaction of knowing you built it with your own hands.

Our boats are built using methods that were proven over thousands of years with a modern twist. My boat frames are built fuselage style, much like airplane construction. The frames are marine plywood and the stringers are made from lightweight woods lashed together with artificial sinew. A synthetic fabric skin is sewn over the frame, shrunk, waterproofed and it becomes a structural member of the boat. This makes an extremely strong, durable and lightweight boat.

Contrary to their delicate looks, SOF boats are very tough and durable. You are not going to rip the skin by just scraping across a rock or hitting a stick. Most times you will will not even make a mark on the hull. I have run mine upon many rocks, across submerged logs, stumps and tree limbs and I have yet to make more than a small mark on the hull.

Kudzu Craft offers plans with full size patterns as well as pre-cut frame kits. We have fabric, footrest, seats, and other supplies you need to build your Kudzu Craft boat available. Be sure and visit our store.

We have several kayak designs available and I am almost always working on a new idea. While kayaks are my main interest I am also working on other designs such as canoes and a pulling (rowing) boat. Visit our design page to see if we have a boat that fits your need.

Join us on FaceBook. There I will keep you up to date and as new products or services are offered.

VARDO * 24 lbs using 7 oz. skin

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