Kids canoe,building my own..

[squeakyknee]

I love the fact that the Splash is out there to get kids started,but I simply can't afford it. My plan is to paddle my beat up old 16 ft Sawyer one last weekend and then "modify it" so the the little ones can get a feel for canoeing at pool sessions this winter.
I plan to cut approx. 9 feet out of the center of the glass Sawyer bringing it down to 7 ft. it should be about 26" or so wide at that point. I can adjust with the twarts. might adjust the freeboard as necessary. I'll be taking plenty of pics of this project and will keep y'all updated. I'm going to make a bulkhead for it too instead of straps. I figure that will be easier for her to start with.
I'm hoping this works cause I really want to get her into canoeing and eventually C-1's as opposed to yaks. I think the roll will be easier to learn, and kids kayaks are friggin $$$$.
might even convert my old Necky Switch to a kids C-1 later on.
Got some input? Let me know...
Shawn

[billcanoes]

David was going to shorten the Hoopty viper 12 for his daughter- and was told to overlap the two halves- he probably has a whole lot more info on it because he was very excited about the project-


hmmm, I dont remember how it turned out-

[cc]

Hey hats off to ya, and your challenges will be very rewarding when the kids paddle it around. Contact the folks at Beluga in Quebec as they made a mini Appalossa Bulkhead to fit a splash and still have the dementions, ask for Eric. This smaller saddle unit
was wicked. If you change your mind and a saddle and straps are needed contact Mike at Mike Yee outfitting as he too has a kids sized saddle set up for OC1

[squeakyknee]

Thanks, I'll get in touch w/them asap.