My friend who is a mini speed boat racer has told me that there is a way to paint them that is kind of unique. We have decided to try it on this kayak to see how it works before he messes his expensive boat up if it doesn't work. You take automotive paint, hardner etc. and roll it on with a roller, then come back and smooth it out with a foam brush. I know you probably think I am nuts, but Formby's works great for a total screw up. If you are aware of this painting technique let me know. I will post the results when I get it done. Apparently it is the rage on speed boaters forums, if it works it would make short work of a bunch of little projects. I plan to paint the top midnight blue and the bottom Tim Chance racing green (my friend Tim has named it after himself), and frankly it sounds ugly but it comes out looking pretty cool. I also have a fishing kayak, a folbot(that I am building off a template from an antique one, tandem), a white water yak and 4 other long boats. I have a Dagger, Sirocco, Skye, and some other thing we call the lemon. The Skye is my favorite. I guess boat fever has me since I had never been in one before January.

Bill, if you've acquired these 6 or 7 boats since January, you might want to see a specialist; this could become a serious habit!

This technique is used with marine and other paints and works quite well. The brush strokes used should be made vertically to reduce the tendency of the paint to sag at the marks left by a brush making horizontal strokes. With vertical brush strokes as the paint flows out the marks disappear and there is no place for a sag to begin.

It is important to keep your wet edge moving. If you wait till you've rolled the entire boat to come back with the brush the paint will be too stiff. In doing boat bottoms this technique is done by two people; one rolling and one following right behind making light brush strokes.

Thank you for the tips if it ever quits raining I will get to it

WOW- I'm very jealous of your find!
Go mr. bill! I've painted my Dirigos many times, many colors. (Mostly camo.)
Surface prep is the key. An even, fine sanding and proper "wipe down" helps me everytime. I wash it first with a hose, then wipe her down with acetone or thinner.
Painting right away is also important so you don't get dust or debris in the paint.
Its a good warm day project if you don't have an indoor shop or whatever.
I reglassed mine one winter in my living room and then painted it there too when I was single. If you hear of any other Dirigos let me know. Oh yeah, I used an epoxy based spray paint originally made for metal that works great. Let me know if want any. While your at west marine ask the people there, but be careful you might get
the new guy from k-mart.
Good luck mr. bill and watch out for sluggo!
All the best- Bilnik

Thanks for your comments and suggestions. I was looking at the boat today and realized that at some point in time someone had taken the top off of the kayak and put it back on. The ovelap is lined with sheet meal screws and the drilled holes that apparently were the origional holes were filled in with caulk of some sort. Is this common, or did they do it to facilitate converting the foot pedals to stationary? There also is no indication of ever having a skeg or rudder on it. Strange, why would someone go through the trouble to take the top half off? Also would any one be interested in using the template (wood pieces) to make your own replica antique Folbot? I saved all the pieces and it would be fun and relatively easy to build your own. I cut out the new pieces and used PVC as the side ribs (I don't know why) and am looking for a nice stretch material to wrap it in. I have found shower liner rubber for about $100 I might use. It needs to be durable to handle Missouri streams.

Hey mr bill- It sounds like somebody "re-bedded" the seal for the hull/deck seam.
It originally was sealed with clear silicone and fastened with aluminium rivits. (My 2 boats anyway) I've been tempted to do the same in the past to make a mold. Never got that into it. I'm paddling around some open water I found on Lk. Champlain this week. 1st time out since Jan. duckhunting, east end Long Island, N.Y..
All the best- Bilnik

The girl fiend and I have gotten into kayaking because we are supposed to do a month long kayaking adventure in S.E. Alaska in July. We have weathered the Missouri winter going out if the sun comes out for practice, and have taken a class at the community college. We are considering doing a trip to the Great Lakes for a week or so beforehand to experience larger bodies of water before plunging head first (OOhh nOO) in a potentially dangerous situation (pardon the pun). Anyone interested in meeting us up in that area to take a jaunt around one of the Great Lakes? Say first or second week of June? Also, input from those that have done the alaska trip would be appreciated. Sorry it off topic, but I do not as of now think I will be taking the Dirigo, unless someone recommends it over a poly craft. Thanks Mr Bill

Mr. Bill, all I can tell you is that bilnik was right: Dirigo fastened the deck to the hull of the earlier Dirigos with clear silicone and aluminum rivets. This method leaked along the rivets (still does on my boat) and when I wrote to Dirigo about it, they said that they were converting to stainless steel nuts & bolts. They said that they'd upgrade my boat if I shipped it back to them, but I said thanks but no thanks. This would have had nothing to do with altering the rudder pedals.

By the way, I did see a photo of a Dirigo 17 taken no later than 1984 that was without a rudder. Did you ever get a chance to check your boat's serial number for its date of manufacture?

Don't get too used to the Dirigo's extraordinary stability, if you're going to be paddling some other, narrower boat on vacation. There will be a BIG difference with a narrower boat.

Howdy- Just got back from 1st quick paddle down on L. Champlain. Too windy to do what I wanted to do but I got in a couple miles in a big cove out of the weather. It felt good. Lots of migratory waterfowl.(Sounds better than ducks+geese). And one Bald Eagle.
Hey mr bill- If I was driving to S.E. AK. I'd bring the Dirigo17 for gear carrying capacity+stability. Otherwise, If I wasn't driving, I'd rent something up there stable.
Definetly go to the Great Lakes or some big water before you go to AK.. I've never been to that part of AK yet, but thats the place to kayak.
Good Luck- Bilnik

Mikekayak

Could the paint be sprayed on? Or is using the roller and brush the best way to get a good finish?

Hello- I didn't post about the roller/brush-on method but I've done it on yachts years ago. That would be the best way if done right. I personally spray mine yearly,
but I'm looking to camo mine for hunting.
Later- Bill

Hey folks, after 50 days straight of rain in the midwest, I finally got a chance to take my Dirigo out on its maiden voyage (for me). We paddled a lake in Illinois, with all different kinds of conditions, placid, wind, wakes. I found the boat to be extremely stable, I like the big cockpit, and the way it follows your lead. Thats the good news...not a big fan of having to fight it to go straight on calm water, so I see adding a "custom made" skeg on the stern when I paint it and repair the leak. This boat is a good feeling ride, I was able to keep up with the other kayakers, and it may be a contender for my Alaskan trip (after modification). When is the Dirigo kayak club convention coming up, Pres?

Bill, glad to see you've gotten out on the water. How did you deal with the missing hatch cover problem? And did you acquire a sprayskirt along with the boat?

I went without both. It was warm enough, and I like to fish, but I did have to suck a lot of water out because of the leak. I have search to no avail, for the serial number on the craft. There appears to be none. Maybe it is inside?
I feel like it is closer to a racing canoe becasue of its stability and handling. I will be using it to start out some newbies I will be training soon.