Well I've received my new boat, and she preforms like a dream. She is designed to row, sail and you can strap on a 2 hp motor if need be. Sort of a rib for all seasons and taste, unless you want to get somewhere real fast.
The first pic is the finished boat...(I will use a different sail than this image shows)
The second picture are the sails I intend to set up, except rig like a Schooner.
Cheers...Neil (Keith get a real hull under those tubes)
Hi John, Even though the closed cell foam works great as a fender, the main purpose is for additional flotation should the boat be swamped. I first looked hard into putting hypalon tubes on, but the boat will be used in mangrove swamps and narrow rivers as well, lots of things around to poke holes. The dream of owning a "true" rib are still alive, the budget to afford one is still a dream as well. The beauty is that I'm in better physical shape with all the rowing, instead of turning a key and letting a motor do all the work. The quest is the same in either boat, to get out on the water and have some fun & adventure.
cheers, Neil
