Mohawk Nova 16

[bigbee]

I recently bought a Nova, and so far I have loved the boat. Handles very well etc. I have one question though? What effect if any will pinching the gunwales in have. Will it make it any faster, slower, less responsive etc. I have been primarily by myself, and although I can manage the wide width, it would be nice to narrow the boat a small bit. I know some people have done this, but I'm not sure why or to serve what purpose.

Looking forward to hearing some suggestions.
Todd

[Al Donaldson]

Todd:

Here is my take on this modification:

(I've modified about a dozen canoes, mostly going the other way, but have narrowed a couple...)

You'll find the following results from narrowing the hull:

1) The boat will lose a bit of rocker: thus it will track marginally better and turn marginally worse. (if you change the width by more than 3", these will no be marginal!)

2) Due to the physics of wake formation, narrowing the boat will increase its glide slightly. It will also pick up a bit in maximum hull speed, but you'll not notice this until you are paddling really hard.

3) The boat will acquire a slightly more rounded bottom (if it was an arch bottom to start with) and thus will lose a bit of primary stability (it will feel a bit more "tender" when sitting still.)

4) With the gunwales pulled in, due to the reduced volume as the hull heels over (leans), it will lose some final stability (its tendency to "push back" as it is heeled over more and more.

5) If you narrow the boat a lot, you'll actually lower its displaced volume a bit, so it will run deeper in the water. This would take a big change in width to be noticeable.

6) And, of course, the narrowing of the gunwales will make it a bit easier to get a good vertical paddle stroke going.

Of course, you'll need to use shorter thwarts and seats, so it wouldn't be a bad idea to take the originals out, replace the them with some simple 1' X 4' boards cut to your new length, and try the boat out before finalizing the job. It is easy enough to cut seats and thwarts to a shorter length, but it is really hard to lengthen them back out if you don't like the way the boat behaves.

When you find a setup that you like, install the new or cut down center thwart first: then size the seats and other thwarts to match.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

al

[Dave Thomas]

Al, that is one impressive breakdown of how narrowing a boat effects its performance. Nice! Although, the rocker on the Nova 16 will not change much at all by shaving off an inch or two.

Todd, Al's advice about setting your boat up with simple 1"x4" boards before finalizing your modifications is spot on. However, I would be careful about how much you actually shorten it's width. If doing all of this work to your boat isn't something that you want to tackle I'd be glad to do the work at the Mohawk Shop in Fort Smith. I offer many outfitting and repair services in addition to building new Mohawk boats. Also, if you are an ACC member you'll receive a discount on any boat, part and/or service I offer. Locals helping locals. Shoot an email my way at dthomas@mohawkcanoes and we'll talk some canoes.

[Al Donaldson]

Dave:

I do appreciate the fact that Mohawk, Two Brothers and Millbrook are the only canoe manufacturers in the country who are willing (and eager) to assist paddlers in getting the right canoe and are willing to offer modification services.

It is a shame that our big corporate manufacturers are not willing to do so.

But that is their loss. Paddlers are able to choose their own suppliers -- I just hope that more of them will take advantage of the few builders who are willing to go the extra distance.

Be well.

al

[bigbee]

Thanks for all the advice and instruction so far. I think I'm gonna just let it ride for now. I am far from advanced in my skill set at this point. Each time I get out I am finding I am improved from the previous outing. I don't do anything half azzed, and learning to paddle will be no exception.
I appreciate the help.
Todd

[Dave Thomas]

I'm always more than happy to help you out Todd. There are many knowledgeable and generous paddlers on the ACC Forum always willing to help out too. Don't be a stranger on the forum and never hesistate to ask a question or for (paddling) advice. No Dr. Phil stuff on here though!