Updated Friday, August 15, 2008 10:45 PM
Plans kayak - Thule, €94
images | information | lines | particulars | history
Thule is a fast and roomy expedition and touring kayak, designed to provide a dry ride, ample storage and an ability to press on even in adverse weather conditions.
To achieve this the kayak is fine ended, has rounded chines and just a trace of deadrise.
Very high stability (initial and secondary) means that inexperienced paddlers quickly learn to handle the kayak in waves and that skilled paddlers can keep going comfortably when the weather refuses to cooperate.
Thule is a large and roomy kayak and works best with a tall paddler who has enough strength and weight to make full use of the kayaks potential.
In spite of its length Thule turns easily. In a hard beam wind though, all but the really experienced paddler would need some additional help to stay on course. A few Thule´s are built with rudders, but the really successful ones have a built-in adjustable skeg (shown in the plans). Also shown are bulkheads and hatches but my preferences are for the simple outfitting that has been successful for centuries - reliable, inexpensive and light.
Images - Thule
Lines - Thule
Particulars - Thule
| Length: | total/lwl: 550/523 cm* |
| Beam: | total/lwl: 57/54 cm |
| Draft: | 11 cm |
| Cockpit: | 80 x 40 cm* |
| Height: | in front of/behind the cockpit 29,5/22 cm |
| Weight: | 18 kg |
| Load capacity: | 150kg - 424 liter |
| Calculated speed: | 8,8 - 11.9 km/t** |
| PC: | 0,55 |
| Wetted surface: | 2,23 m² |
| Calculated drag: | (4 knop) 3,55 kp - (5 knop) 6,47 kp |
| Stability: | (80 kg) hign - (max load) very high |
| Intended use: | Expedition and touring, coastal and open sea. Day tours and exercise. |
A narrower version is available - 53/51 cm - slighly faster and a little less stable. Specify at ordering.
* These dimensions can be adapted to suit personal needs or wishes.
** The speed numbers are based on mathematical standard formulas (175 lb paddler + 30 lb carco weight) and corrected from the kayaks actual performance om trials, on tours and in races.
I can also offer complete kits and professionally built and finished canoes. Please contact me for prices and terms.
The plans
Two sheets contains the necessary information to build the kayak.
