How much for a tupperware duck punt

I don't know is the short answer. BUT I have been toying with the idea of making a kayak from the plans I have but using GRP sheet instead of plywood. The glassfibre and resin can be purchased cheap enough from a specialist supplier, I've used the Fibreglass Shop in Brentford.
Pricing up what I would need the raw materials come to around 100 quid. The only problem I'm working on is getting a flat surface to lay up the GRP. Glass was my first choice, but a 15x4ft sheet of glass is not cheap. The other idea was perspex with clingfilm over it.

Once that hurdle is crossed its then just a case of cutting the grp panels to the required shapes and building the kayak as per the plans.
Its just an idea at the moment. If, and/or when I've crossed the hurdle I'll let you know. Building a Punt, or more correctly, a Pirouge, should be half the work of a kayak, less materials as well.
 
foam sandwich

I think it would be best made out oof the stuff they make wave skis out of


you want flat panels but the inner skin could be ribbed to make it stiffer

to have a boat you could drag in as guilt free a way as I drag my sportyak would be brilliant

I wonder if I could get the duck punt aboard a minstrel

Dylan
 
mogy said:
stffness is the problem with flat panels.to get the required stiffness it may be quite heavy.
Click to expand...

On a kayak I don't think being flimsey will be an issue. There will be enough twist in the panels to stiffen them once joined. I'd also add watertight bulkheads to form storage in the bow and stern.
An open boat shouldn't pose too much of a problem once the gunnel has bee fitted and maybe a thwart or two. I've had a Roylex constructed canadian that was flopper than a floppy thing once the gunnel was removed for renewal.

Don't know if a Punt could be made in plastic. I'm sure if you hunt about enough you could find sheets big enough. Getting it into the required shape may be a bit more of a problem.
Off the top of my head all I can think is to "unfold" the structure of the punt into "flat sheet" profile, cut that out. Lay the sheet over the punt heat it so it takes the required shape. The ends would have to be "welded" to make it water tight. Add the required woodwork. It may be feasable, anything is possible, but will it be viable?

You can buy sailing kayaks off the shelf from the likes of Hobie. They sail very well too. I was very impressed with the one I tried.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top