C-Forum

Looking for info on flatening the hull of the newer pyranha 'lude hull bottoms. I understand the original Frankie designed Savage models had more of a planeing<spell> hull with much sharper chines. I am interested in getting rid of the Rolly-Polley like paddling on top of a beach ball feel. I have heard that there is someone near K.C. that has modified a few boats in such a manner. Does anyone outthere know this party? Does he do this as a service for other boaters? If so I would be interested in contacting him/her. Any info regarding this mod would be appreciated............Thanks..............The Boathead

I've also heard of hull mods for more initial stability and edge
Would be great if someone could post or send more info(mterlesky at hotmail dot com)

Kanur.....he is in MO. Has flattened a few preludes and he may be able to at least tell you how he did it.

Have you tried lowering the saddle height yet? Shaving ~1.5" off the top of the saddle made ha huge difference for me. Never bothered trying to flatten the bottom after that.

martin a.k.a. the great gonzo!

Thanks for the info Martin and Helly. I did initially cut some off the top of the saddle assy. There is an excellent paddler that frequents the Saint Francis who has a couple of Preludes, Dennis Jones. He tipped me on to the top saddle cut. I am sure it helped, but if I keep this boat I will need to do more. of course it wouldn't hurt to lose 20 -30 lbs. I may look at actually cutting down the seat height. I am sure that lowering my position in the canoe would help stability. But I doubt if it would effect the looseness of the hull. I keep telling myself if I can paddle a Zoom, Skeeter, and several different C1's, than I should enjoy this boat. Sorry to ramble, Thanks for the help.....Boathead .......OUT...

I'm pretty sure Dennis Jones = Kanur. I'm also pretty sure he posted his procedure for flattening the Prelude, but I can't find it - maybe it was somebody else who posted that.

boathead wrote:Thanks for the info Martin and Helly. I did initially cut some off the top of the saddle assy. There is an excellent paddler that frequents the Saint Francis who has a couple of Preludes, Dennis Jones. He tipped me on to the top saddle cut. I am sure it helped, but if I keep this boat I will need to do more. of course it wouldn't hurt to lose 20 -30 lbs. I may look at actually cutting down the seat height. I am sure that lowering my position in the canoe would help stability. But I doubt if it would effect the looseness of the hull. I keep telling myself if I can paddle a Zoom, Skeeter, and several different C1's, than I should enjoy this boat. Sorry to ramble, Thanks for the help.....Boathead .......OUT...

Weight is definitely a factor, I am ~190-190 lbs and the boat feels fine at that weight, heavier guy's (~220lbs) that tried my boat did not enjoy it as much.

As far as looseness is concerned, it does not really matter to me, as I use it as a riverrunner/creeker exclusively, if I feel like playing and surfing, I have better boats for that in my quiver. While the Prelude fornt surfs file and spins fine in the right hole, hard carving and spinning on a wave don't work, but I seriously doubt that flattening the bottom will make a big enough difference to allow flatspins on a wave, although I may well be wron on that.
If you want a boat that is more playful, but still a good creeker, look for something like a Spanish Fly or a Quake, but for creeking, I still prefer the Prelude over anything else I have paddled so far.

martin a.k.a. the great gonzo!

Yes, I am quite certain Dennis is Kanur. Actually I purchased this boat for my wife who is MUCH lighter than myself<thank>. She still prefers her Phantom. <se>. So if I can't sell it I will try to modify it. i really do not need it as I do already have a Spanish Fly, a Quake, Ocoee as well as just purchased a New Taureau. So creeking and playing is not a problem. Just would prefer to use the boat as opposed to having it go dormant in the boat house if I do not sell it. It really is a unique boat and seems very dry even with 220 lbs in it. Thanks to all........Boathead...

Dennis (Kanur) may be out of pocket right now or he would have already responded. You might have better luck getting him on the MWA message board.

He has pics of his hull flattening procedure he can email. He sent me pics and directions on flattening the hull but I chose not to tackle it at this time so I just took about an inch to an inch and a half off the tops of the saddle and glued it all in.

I'm now wishing I had been more patient and flattened the hull.

Dennis Jones, and he lives about an hour or so from the Saint Francis in MO. He is an awesome boater, a heck of a nice guy and I owe him a lot in teaching me a few of his tricks!
In an earlier post, he said to PM him and he would give you the information.....if you can find postings such as Prelude - Outfitting Question.

Dennis is prob too tired to respond...I wore his arse out on a Shredder this weekend...if he will 'fess up to it!!

That must have been interesting. Where did this spectical take place? I'll bet where ever it was, He tore up the river! Thanks for the heads-up. I had actually discussed this <bottom> with Dennis in person last fall at the N.O.C. and on the phone this spring. He explained it somewhat to me, but I opted to not attempt the flattening at that time. Maybee I would consider it now if it is not to difficult for me to grasp. Any way again, thanks for the info on Kanuer's where abouts...........Boathead Out.................

Whats a Shredder?

If you need pictures of how I did mine send me your email address in a PM. I don't know how to send them from this site.

Actually had fun on the Shredder but Phil in K.C. and I both paddle right and since it was his boat he made me paddle left. At one point he was about to roll off his tube laughing and he said look what your doing. Without thinking about it I was sitting on the left tube holding my paddle right doing cross forwards

Hi Dennis, My wife and I met you and yours breifly at the Nanty last fall. I did take off aprox. 3/4 inch off the top of the saddle assy. Probably should have taken more. Posibly a total of an inch and a half. Did not attempt to flatten the hull as you suggested. I would appreciate it if you could Email me your procedure pictures as well as a breif description on the flattening of the hull. Also I am considering shaving the actual seat height from 9" down to say 7-71/2". Any way sorry to bother you again. Your expertise is greatly appreciated. My Email address is paddleoneblade@yahoo.com All in lower case.............Thanks Again........The Boathead............

Thank you, Dennis for the information and photos.

His method is relatively simple and straight forward and the results look fantastic. It could be awhile before I get to mine, work and injuries have slowed me. Eventually, I'll post results.

Boathead - I hope you've decided to keep your Prelude, let us know how it turns out.