Hey Murray;
Carrying extra camping gear whilst yakking has always been a dilema.
Some successful, and some not so, attempts have been tried and lost.
A flat bottom craft will swing and yaw and eventually sink.
A keel, chine rails and a rudder will help immensely.
A cheap sit on top will suffice as long as you can keep the centre a gravity low.............
Not like this: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=26272&p=280201#p280201
Other wise, the old canadian canoe full to the gunnels usually gets things done.............on flat water?
Good luck.

Trailing a rope behind it is also a good way to reduce sway.

I always thought it was a given thing to use the mother inlaw as ballast? Then there was no issues if the tender sinks

If you are any good with fibreglass, just flop mould some ones cheapie yak and then glass on a timber deck

weekendwithbevo wrote:
Keith - I like that idea. Simple too. Does it work through creating drag?
:

Not so much drag theat holds you back but rather it dampens the ability of the rear to swing.

Also when towing it is best not to attach the tow rope to the very rear of the tow boat as it can make it difficult to steer. Usually just behind the rear seat, even a waist belt, this allows tow boat to pivot and manoeuvre more easily. A bit of elasticity reduces jerking, which not only makes pulling easier but reduces twitchiness of what is being towed.

What about using 2 pieces of PVC tubing with a flat board attached to the top. Use a 45% end at the towing end to give it a little shape. Screw cap fittings to seal it. Flat ends at the other end. You get catamaran stability and 2 towing points. Quick easy cheap. This is a link to similar version I made for the first paddle yak I ever had - the Turbo Ghurkin. viewtopic.php?f=9&t=3167

maverick wrote:What about using 2 pieces of PVC tubing with a flat board attached to the top. Use a 45% end at the towing end to give it a little shape. Screw cap fittings to seal it. Flat ends at the other end. You get catamaran stability and 2 towing points. Quick easy cheap.

tow rig.png

This is a link to similar version I made for the first paddle yak I ever had - the Turbo Ghurkin. viewtopic.php?f=9&t=3167

Yep. And Timmy Turtle took that to a new level with Pipe Dreams'.https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeeFgz ... &flow=grid
He chucked an electric on it and went fishing around the back of the Gold Coast. And then graduated to a skiff version........
His early first setups have been removed by the look of it, but the principle of x2 parallel pontoons has merit.

weekendwithbevo wrote:Where's the 'like' button!

Peter (Peatop) - Don't know about the mother-in-law, but I get the pqoint

well I just thought if the mother inlaw was ok with traveling in the boot she would be ok as ballast