Kingfisher/ Recurve Plans PDF

$175.00

The Kingfisher is my biggest boat. The side panels are 17' making it right at 16' in a straight line. The specific design is built around the idea that flyrod storage is best when they are in a straight line. So with the length of the boat I have made shelves on either side which house the rods without tubes and without bending them. They can be accessed from either the front or the back or the middle. Additionally, the side dry storage is made so that it is long rather than wide and you can accommodate rod tubes and chairs and nets inside. Some other features are the ability to walk down the boat back and forth with a minimum of things to step over. Even though this boat is the largest at 350 lbs. it draws very little water being wider 1t 57" and will float in just inches.

I have just added the curved Recurve side panels to this set of plans. Email for details if you have questions.

The Kingfisher is my biggest boat. The side panels are 17' making it right at 16' in a straight line. The specific design is built around the idea that flyrod storage is best when they are in a straight line. So with the length of the boat I have made shelves on either side which house the rods without tubes and without bending them. They can be accessed from either the front or the back or the middle. Additionally, the side dry storage is made so that it is long rather than wide and you can accommodate rod tubes and chairs and nets inside. Some other features are the ability to walk down the boat back and forth with a minimum of things to step over. Even though this boat is the largest at 350 lbs. it draws very little water being wider 1t 57" and will float in just inches.

I have just added the curved Recurve side panels to this set of plans. Email for details if you have questions.

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about the Kingfisher / Recurve plans and build process.

Approximately 100 pages of step-by-step written instructions, construction photos, and dimensional drawings delivered as a PDF ZIP file. Chapters cover panel layout, stitching, glassing, gunwales, rod holders, seats, anchor system, and finishing. A full materials list specifying plywood quantities, epoxy, fiberglass, and hardware is included.

The Kingfisher is an experienced build — we recommend completing a Freestone Skiff or Classic first. The Kingfisher is larger, heavier, and more complex to glass and fit out. That said, the plans are detailed enough that a determined first-timer with solid woodworking skills can succeed.

The Recurve panels are the most technically demanding part of this build. They require vacuum bagging and a specialized jig to hold the bent shape while curing. Detailed kneebrace plans are not included in the standard set, but email support is available to walk you through the process.

A complete build — hull, hardware, trailer, cover, and consumables — should come in under $4,000 with careful sourcing. Rough breakdown: epoxy ~$400, plywood ~$700, fiberglass/Kevlar ~$300, hardwoods ~$200+, hardware $300–$800+, trailer and cover $500–$1,500+. Finish level affects the total significantly.

16 feet long, 74 inches (6'2") wide. Draft is approximately 3 inches empty and 5–6 inches fully loaded with two anglers, a guide, and gear. At 350 lbs it's the largest boat in the lineup but still floats in very shallow water.

Line-X spray-on bed liner is the most durable option and bonds excellently to epoxy. If it's not available locally, use a quality exterior paint over the glassed hull. Skip DIY rattle-can bed liner — it won't hold up to river use. For topsides and interior, quality latex house paint in matte or semi-gloss works great and is easy to brush on.

Yes — email support throughout your build is included with every plan purchase. We aim for quick response times and prefer email so there's a clear written record of your questions and answers. Many builders stay in touch with us throughout their entire multi-month project.

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