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Kayak To Keep Charities Afloat

Photo provided by Carlos Ranon.

Carlos Ranon and Carl Brown, both members of the Tampa East Sertoma Club, work on constructing a Shearwater 17-foot wooden kayak to raise money for charity. The kayak weighs 44 pounds and features thin panels of okoume mahogany plywood and red cedar planks.

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By ELIZABETH LEE BROWN, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 8, 2007

Updated: 12/06/2007 06:15 pm

CARROLLWOOD - A 17-foot handmade wooden kayak featuring an intricate ribbon of western red cedar planks and mahogany plywood would be a prized vessel for any paddling enthusiast.

Members of the Tampa East Sertoma Club, a 42-year service organization, are using the one-of-a-kind watercraft as a vehicle to raise money for local charities. The group hopes to raise $5,000 by selling tickets to win the kayak.

Sertoma member and Original Carrollwood resident Carlos Ranon built the one-person boat in his garage.

"We just thought it would be something different to do as a fundraiser. Every one has golf tournaments, including us," said the 51-year-old boat maker.

Ranon said the kayak kit came in the mail in three large boxes. He and members of the club spent more than 200 hours at night during 10 weeks putting the kayak together.

Ranon, a woodworking hobbyist, said it was the second boat he has constructed from a kit. The first was much bigger and could fit three people.

The Shearwater 17-foot kayak weighs 44 pounds and is designed by Chesapeake Light Craft, a boat-making company based in Annapolis, Md., which specializes in row boat and kayak kits.

Ranon said he chose the ultralight watercraft for its striking deck, which is made of western red cedar planks. The deck was constructed with a tongue-and-groove method where each joint was cut and fitted together by hand. The kayak's hull is made from thin panels of okoume, a type of mahogany plywood found in Africa.

The kayak building process was like putting together a large jigsaw puzzle, Ranon said.

"It was very step-by-step," he said.

Ranon has been carting the kayak to various community events and locations to sell $10 tickets to win the watercraft.

KAYAK DETAILS

To buy a $10 chance to win the kayak, go to www.Sertoma-Tampa-East.org. The kayak is being given away on Tuesday at the club's noon meeting at the Comfort Inn at 820 E. Busch Boulevard, near Nebraska Avenue. For information, call Carlos Ranon at (813) 927-3513.

Reporter Elizabeth Lee Brown can be reached at (813) 865-1502 or ebrown@tampatrib.com.

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