My Kayak-Build Thread

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by javadog

Sinew?

Not much, you?

[Tim Hancock]

Looks like a fun project!

[ckissick]

Originally Posted by javadog

Didn’t your curved beam lamination use glue?

What wood choices did the Inuit have? I’m not terribly familiar with their environment. Did they have any tools that weren’t derived from bone?

What do you plan to skin it with?

I was thinking of the joint to the gunwales, but you're right, the laminated beams are glued with Gorilla Glue. It seems to work very well.

The Inuits used different materials and tools, but the design and methods are very similar.

It will be skinned with a stained and treated fabric.

[ckissick]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

What is the estimated finished weight ?

29 pounds.

[brainz01]

Subscribed

[ckissick]

Got all the deck beams installed today.


My mortise and tenons got pretty good.

[ckissick]

Why are the pics rotated?

[ckissick]

This is a test:


It worked! I rotated it!

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by ckissick

29 pounds.

Wow not bad at all . Looking forward to progress pics .

[ckissick]

The deck is done and the ribs are next. I need to heat up 20 ribs in my steam box, bend them, and stick them in their mortises. I then need to install the keel and stringers immediately after the ribs while the ribs are still pliable. The keel and stringers will help the hull get the correct shape. Without them, the ribs will get out of shape overnight. This takes a few hours so I'll have to wait until this weekend when I have a full day in the garage.

These are the ribs where they will eventually go, each cut to the correct length.

[drcoastline]

Loving this, Sub'd.

[herr_oberst]

I'd like to see how you built the steam box if you get the chance - I'm always interested in how people heat the water and direct the steam to the box

[ckissick]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

I'd like to see how you built the steam box if you get the chance - I'm always interested in how people heat the water and direct the steam to the box

You can see it in the background at the end of the work bench. That's a wallpaper steamer on top of the box. I'll heat water in the steamer and run a hose into a hole at the back of the box. I'll take better pics soon.

Since you're interested, the pic below is of a side bending machine for guitar building. I have one just like it. You soak the boards then sandwich one between two metal sheets. You then crank down the middle and pull the two end guides around until the sides are fixed into the jig for the desired shape. You then turn on the four 150-watt light bulbs inside the machine to heat it up. After a while you turn off the bulbs (actually, they are on a timer), let it cool down, and take out the board. Et voila, you have a bent side for the guitar.

[herr_oberst]

That guitar body bender is cool. I had no idea, but after thinking about it, of course!

I watch a YouTube series where this guy up in Montana builds horse drawn wagons. At the risk of a slight hijack, here's some wagon wheel parts being bent. Lots of energy in that machine....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHAbShWQ7JI

[javadog]

Very interesting link, thanks.

[oldE]

Charlie, I wish I was close enough to lend a hand with the ribs, keel and battens. I know you have everything planned and it will go well. Keep your gloves on!

Best
Les

[911 Rod]

This is very cool.

[ckissick]

Originally Posted by oldE

Charlie, I wish I was close enough to lend a hand with the ribs, keel and battens. I know you have everything planned and it will go well. Keep your gloves on!

Best
Les

No help needed. I'm building it with my 25-year-old daughter! It was her idea and it will be her kayak. I'll build one for myself too. But it sure is nice spending this time with my little girl.

[ckissick]

I did a trial run on bending ribs. I need 20 for the boat and I have 25 total, which makes for 5 spare ribs. (Not as tasty as the other kind.)

As promised, here's the steam box setup:


For the first trial I used a rib that that didn't seem to have optimal grain. I was right. It broke right away:


Then I took out a rib with nice, straight grain. Success! I think 7 minutes in the steam box will do. I have 15 seconds to make each bend. I now have only 3 spare ribs. I hope no more break.

[ckissick]

Big day today. Bent and installed all the ribs, finished the bow and stern stems, clamped the keel and stringers in place.

All the ribs in place. (Note the steam still coming out of the steam box.):


The keel clamped into place:


The stringers clamped into place:


Detail of the lashing at the bow stem:


I'll fix the keel and ribs into place with lashing next.