Ray Karnes - Freedom

Hello! Well, it a took a while, but here are the pictures of the Freedom 17, we did in you September 2001 class. I got it home with no problem. That Sunday I went sight seeing through Arcadia National Park and the started home. I was originally going to spend an extra day there doing some hiking, but since I had the boat I decided to head straight on home rather than risk leaving it unattended on top of the car. Lucky thing, because I ended up going through New York and Washington, D.C> on Monday, the dat before the World Trade Center attack rather than Tuesday, like I originally planned. I put four coats of varnish and it really looks good. There are a couple of small places where I meesed up but the whole impression of the varnished boat is so dazzling that no one would ever notice and I don't point it out to them. People that see it are really impressed. It is a great conversation starter also. As you can see I actually get it in the water. I put a center seat in so I can paddle it solo. I am really pleased with the way it paddles. I have a 15' Dagger that I have used on river trips and messing around the lake. I don't know whether it is because the wooden boat is stiffer or because of the shape or whatever, but the Freeom paddles way much easoer and faster than the Dagger. It seems to have a really nice glide. Thanks again for the class. I probably had less woodworking background than anyone else in the class but thoroughly enjoyed it and learned a lot. Hopefully I can do one by myself now. I am starting a rowind wherry from one of Chris's kits then I hope to do either your Rob Roy or one of your kayaks later this year. Ray Karnes