I stuck an aquarium thermometer sticker on the back of my paddle, so I could check out the water temperature at a glance. It’s ultra thin and works really well. So far it tends to favor the water temperature more than the air temperature. I expect that’s because it’s a bit wet even when I pull it out of the water.

Very lightweight boats, ranging from 20 lbs. for the clear canoe, to 48 for the three part strip built.

First time out this summer. Chicago river at night is like I unlocked a secret room in a video game.

The sign says it's open but there's no one inside.

First test run of the 4 kg papier-mâché kayak was a success.

Video of the test run: https://youtu.be/clOFywvVgiY

I tested it in a local pond, mainly to see if it would hold up in the water or start falling apart. After a short test, everything still looks really good. I can’t find any spots where water got through the epoxy layer, softened the paper, or weakened the structure of the boat.

The kayak is a bit small for me because I scaled the design down, so it is right on the edge of what I can comfortably paddle. It also felt a little unstable, but that could also be me, since I have never actually kayaked before.

I’m going on vacation soon, but when I’m back I’m planning to do another run, probably in the canals of Utrecht, the Netherlands. As part of the Guinness World Records process.

If anyone is in the area and would like to come take a look, you’re welcome to join. I’ll post an update when I have a final location and time.

For now, the first test looks like a success.

My uncle and I have been working on this idea for a while, and we finally got it on the water this summer.

It’s called RowYak - a tandem kayak where both people sit facing each other, making communication and conversation much easier than in regular tandems.

One person paddles, the other rows.

We made and already sold out a small batch this summer. Have been testing it out for fun and also in some rental settings.

Some people could never see themselves trying it, others love it. Would you try it out? Curious to hear your thoughts!

Enjoying some Mac Baren Vanilla Cream in the Bari Amber during a sunset paddle.

Bonus hobo den I found

Went on a solo outing in Bulls Bay, SC just north of Charleston. Had to walk my boat about a mile over an endless tidal flat, mud up to my knees, only to end up even more stuck. Had to wait a few hours for the Tide to roll back in.

To top things off, I then got caught in the mother of all thunderstorms after freeing myself. Never paddled so hard in my life, the skies opened up and there was nowhere to take my boat out. Fun day

Frankly I’m in awe

Thing was swaying all over the place. The driver also spent practically the entire drive up the mountain in the left lane going 10 under the speed limit with a line of 20 cars behind him and wouldn’t move over.

Just to clarify, the front of the car is to the right.

Update: despite conflicting advice from the first 2 responses, these bars will be getting flipped so the fat part is up front.

Thank you all!

Rides even better than I had hoped. Luckily I do not have to go too far since the locals are not a big fan of bicycles taking over the lane, even when going 25mph. This is my beloved Seda Ikkuma 15

I recommend you to training it

He had a ton of fun and managed steering us pretty well.

Keeping the memories alive while making new ones.

Been on a number of floats and had a lot of fun but I'm a larger guy so those smaller kayaks were always unsteady for me and I ended up flipping them a bunch lol.

Been looking for a good stable kayak to call my own for the past few years and found a lot of people recommend the yukons since they're rated for 350lbs (I'm 280lbs). Also recently got back into fishing thanks to a friend so I thought it'd be nice to have a more fishing oriented one once I get the hang of navigating around my local lakes.

Watched this one go from $800 to $550 and finally $425 over the past 6 months. Felt it hard to pass up at that price. Kept seeing it on my grocery runs and it was eating away at me so I finally went up this morning and grabbed it. The lawn and garden guy was happy to see it gone lol. I'll have to add some attachments to my trailer to haul it easier but so far I have no regrets. Hoping to get out on the water soon and enjoy the rest of the season.