I was looking for the simplest and cheapest boat you could build and still be a good boat. The Pirogue design seemed to fit that bill. Crawfish is a simple one man Pirogue. Unlike a true Pirogue it has a V bottom instead of a totally flat bottom which is better suited to this style of construction. It will will also improve the tracking while being paddled.
It’s simple lines will make it go together very quickly and with no deck most of the skin is just stapled in place and covered with a rub strip to hide the staples. It will also protect the skin when you pull along side a pier or another boat. The only sewing is on the ends and even this can be stapled if you install stem bands to cover and seal the seam.
This simple construction also means the costs, which are minimal to start with, are reduced even more. This is about as cheap a boat as you build and it not be a throw away design that you use for one or two years and then burn it. As long as you use good materials and take reasonable care of it, it should last many years.
Crawfish is great boat for someone wanting to build their first boat or maybe wants to try Skin on Frame but has concerns. I can see this as a good Father-Son project or a project for the Kids Camp or a even a Boy of Girl Scout project. The quick construction time will help to keep the short attention spans from loosing interest. Since you can skin with Polyester and waterproof it with paint, it’s also a chance for the kids to get creative and paint it how they want.
Just keep in mind this is a solo boat. You will need to install floor board over the frames and whatever seat you choose it must sit low to the floor. Crawfish will not handle a high mounted canoe seat. Sitting that high will raise the Center of Gravity to a point it will be very unstable.
