8 days ago I launched my newly built SOF kayak into the brine. I believe the major fault was the boat was unhappy being born without a skeg; and thought I should be underwater acting like one. In all seriousness the last kayak was a flop due to MANY of my own design problems. All a learning curve I figure.
So back on the curve!
The "practice build" now sits here to provide support lumber for the new gunwales; and a reminder to slow down. Mortise all cut, stern and bow risers added took 55 minutes of work over the past few days. Temp forms hold a rough shape tonight.
Rib Stock required to be cut as well. My father and I spent a hour looking around the forest on our land for a older black spruce. I had decided on black spruce due to it being a "softwood" yet grows very slowly. Once harvested I brought the 28 inch junks back to St. Johns where Rob and I milled it up on a tablesaw. We couldn't get over how hard this wood was to cut! The rings are supertight and appears to be great bending stock.
Tomorrow I may get started on the deck beams if the weather is poor. I've poured over internet forums, kayak surveys, my own pictures over the past week. I have my errors mapped into my brain and a few ideas gleaned from online sources.
A few changes have been made compared to the last already:
- This kayak is 20.5 inches wide compared to 19"
-Gunwales are 2 1/4 inches compared to 3"
-Added deck risers at end of gunwales
This build seems to be less time consuming already.
Onward towards the water!
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