Adventures in a Mill Creek 16.5

 The boat has been out for a few trips now (mostly on the Grand Union Canal), and is holding up well. It is a lot quicker than the white-water kayaks, but unsurprisingly has a much bigger turning circle. It still wants to go in a straight line even if ii is tipped over on its side a bit. I have made a couple of small modifications - some foam support for hips and thighs, a revision of the foot pegs (to allow for easy replacement or resizing), and finally a front bulkhead with a round, opening access hatch. The foot pegs are 3D printed in PETG and have a base bolted to the bulkhead and a top that presses on, which can be of different sizes.

A smooth launch today - the kayak handles nicely, and I now know where I need to put some foam padding.  

  Launch next...!

 The third (last!?) coat of varnish is dry and I am now doing some of the final bits and pieces. I have made the carry handles for the front and back and fitted the foot rests. I have fitted the back support and also epoxied on a couple of small walnut blocks to hold the deck hatch safety line. It should be ready to launch now, but I will still need to make and fit some foam knee pads and maybe thigh and hip supports. It will also need a spray deck and a paddle! I also plan to add an elastic net in front of the coaming (for water bottles etc.) but I will do this a little later.

  Here is the deck hatch with the paracord handle fitted.

  I have applied the first coat of varnish to the deck - here is the view from the stern. You can also see the rear bulkhead (with its drainage hole) and the foot rest supports from this angle.