Shortening the kayak will no likely change the handling characteristics of
the boat. I had a discussion with someone who did this but do not recall the
details. Your weight distribution will change, moving the seat forward could
compensate.

I believe that they cut a "v" out of the bottom and pulled the sides
together.

Sean


wrote in message
ups.com...
Dear All,

I have recently acquired 2 fibreglass kayaks.

Given our lack of storage space, I am considering shortening them.

Has anyone done this before?

I have done some research into glass fibre moulding, and if I was to do
it, was planning on making a male mould that I would leave wedged into
the cut ends and lay the fibre over it. My brother has some experience
of glass fibre moulding and is prepared to advise too.

One is 3900 long, the other 4200 long. The width is around 600mm.

I have calculated the volume of the shorter one as being around 360
litres.

Surely I can afford to lose some volume given that some modern kayaks
are as little as 180 litres and I'm not that heavy?

I read a little somewhere about people shortening plastic kayaks, so I
would have thought this would be more straightforward?

I know it could be quite time consuming but it seems a shame not to
make use of kayaks that would otherwise have been destined for
landfill!

Any advice gratefully received!

Regards,

Nick