Salicornia 16 decked canoe
(NEW PLAN ON THE DRAWING BOARD)
Salicornia is a double-paddle canoe designed for cruising inland and reasonably protected coastal waters. She’s descended from classic 19th century decked paddling canoes, with 21st century performance, stability, and manuevering abilities. She is a canoe with a deck, not a kayak. Decked canoes are designed to go over the water, like an open canoe, not through it like a kayak. You go aboard a decked canoe, not wear it like you do a kayak.
Salicornia is a joy to paddle; goes along very easily, tracks straight but turns willingly when asked. She has an absolutely lovely stability profile, just the right amount of initial give when you need a rail down for paddling manueuvers, but then she settles right down perfectly. When we tested the first Salicornia, we discovered that we could not roll her over sitting in the seat; when we did stand up and finally made her to go over, the boat floated over on the high ends of her sheer and barely shpped a teacup or two of water on the way around. It was much easier to get back in the canoe by hauling oneself up over the side directly into the cockpit; Ruth did this when quite a few months pregnant which was pretty hilarious but easy. Re-boarding by sliding up over the stern deck, as you often do with a kayak, wasn’t necessary and did not work as well.
If you should somehow manage to fill the boat, watertight compartments at each end of the boat provide enough flotation for you to climb aboard with her half-full and bail the rest out. Large hatches in the bulkheads also offer plenty of storage room for gear. The cockpit is roomy and comfortable. Comfortable for paddling; comfortable also for drifting along for lunch or anchored in a peaceful spot for a nap or watching birds.
We’ll be working on the plans for the Salicornia during the coming year. If you’d like us to let you know when the plans are done, send us an email and we’ll put you on the list.
This design invites the use of interesting and appealing woods:
deck, sapele marine ply (as is the hull in this boat); coamings, Honduras mahogany;
king planks, black walnut; adjustable backrest (and footrest), ash; contoured seat, white pine.
Adjustable footrest.
Salicornia is a joy to paddle. Ruth grew up paddling canoes,
and didn’t want to give this one up to her new owner. . . .
NOTE: The lovely paddle was made by Malone of Maine,
which unfortunately no longer exists as a maker of paddles.