Garry Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 Here are a few progress pics on my Birder 2. I just put the third coat of epoxy on the hull with two coats inside. I'm amazed how the 4 oz tape almost disappears. I've decided to leave it natural and let the flaws show. I don't want to spend any time fairing or extra time sanding to get a shiny paint job. We'll put 4-6 coats of Epifanes wood varnish which can be applied without sanding previous coats. So I will sand the epoxy coat to prep for the varnish and maybe once ot twice for the final coats. Other pics are at http://www.pbase.com/sailrosita/kayak If you select "original" size at the bottom of the window you can see a lot of detail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffM Posted February 19, 2008 Report Share Posted February 19, 2008 Neat work, Garry. My joints aren't nearly so pretty. It must be nice to be able to work outdoors in February, and have epoxy set without powerful heaters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garry Posted February 23, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2008 Here are a few more pics. Strapping the deck down to the curve of the bulkhead and glueing it with thickened epoxy. The cockpit with the fore and aft deck sections strapped in place. I still have to fit the side pieces and the cut the opening to size. The paddles are glued up with curved blades. There are more pics (and larger) at http://www.pbase.com/sailrosita/kayak Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P Doug (WA) Posted February 24, 2008 Report Share Posted February 24, 2008 NOW THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT! ;D Thanks, Gary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garry Posted February 24, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2008 More progress today. I got the side decks and carlins fitted, glued and clamped up. Everything is about 3/4" oversize to be trimmed after the epoxy sets up. I'm going to try a laminate trimmer in the router to trim the outer edges flush with the topsides. The fit at the top edge didn't come out great, theres a gap because I didn't get the angle right on the inwales. This will be filled and covered with a small rubrail though. I didn't want to use fasteners or create temporary nail holes. I used lines around the hull to hold the sides down to couterbalance the weight of the clamps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garry Posted February 25, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2008 Clamps removed, ready for trimming I'm amazed, its starting to look like a kayak Cockpit opening, ready for trimming Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garry Posted March 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2008 Coaming installed Bending coaming trim, I soaked it in water then dried it with a hot air gun, it helped ease the bend at the front Coaming trim and deck trim strips installed I decided the bow and stern looked fragile, so I routed out a relief and epoxied solid blocks in place to be trimmed to match the dec trim I had the paddles laying under the boat and stepped on one breaking the blade. I cut the blade off and belt-sanded the shaft down to install a new blade Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P Doug (WA) Posted March 4, 2008 Report Share Posted March 4, 2008 Really looking nice Gary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Day Posted March 4, 2008 Report Share Posted March 4, 2008 Ow! I hate it when that happens! Sorry to hear about your paddle. However, when you build them, it's relatively easy to build another, and that's a good thing. Glad to see you are progressing nicely on the kayak. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garry Posted March 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2008 Well, I got the paddle blade replaced and finished up the cockpit coaming. Bow nose piece and hole for rope handle: Deck with rubrail and coaming with trim Coaming with first coat of epoxy: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Day Posted March 10, 2008 Report Share Posted March 10, 2008 Lookin' good, Garry! When are you going to bring it up here so we can paddle together? Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P Doug (WA) Posted March 10, 2008 Report Share Posted March 10, 2008 It just keeps getting better! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffM Posted March 10, 2008 Report Share Posted March 10, 2008 Quick question on the deck, Garry: my plans have very little guidance on how the deck is attached. (The Birder 1 plans (which I also have) have more--maybe I'm missing a page.) The Birder 2 plans seem to say that you have a choice of either doing a rub rail at the deck edge, or of rounding the edge and taping it. From that, it seems as if the tape is unnecessary in adding strength to the joint. Since I am thinking of leaving the deck bright, I want to omit the tape, but also don't think I need a rubrail. What do you think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garry Posted March 10, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2008 Jeff, With the inwale providing sufficient glueing surface, I doubt you need the tape. I don't think the plans call for it. The rubrail is totally optional and doesn't really add much strength. Thanks P. Doug and Steve. I doubt we'll be maknig too many trips with the yak. There is plenty of good water around here to explore. Steve, I thought you were coming down here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Day Posted March 10, 2008 Report Share Posted March 10, 2008 Garry, I just wanted to see if you remembered that. We would like to go down there and will try to do so sometime in the near future. We'll keep you posted. What with gas prices (can't cartop the kayak on the Prius - have to use the pickup >), and schedules, it's not going to be easy. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garry Posted March 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2008 Maiden voyage, still needs UV protection. The Sport-a-seats worked great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remod Posted March 16, 2008 Report Share Posted March 16, 2008 Sooooooooo PURRRRTYYYYYYY! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken_Potts Posted March 17, 2008 Report Share Posted March 17, 2008 Sweet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hirilonde Posted March 17, 2008 Report Share Posted March 17, 2008 The Sport-a-seats worked great! Looking good Garry. I take it the seats can be located in 3 positions (2 for tandem and a 3rd for solo)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norman Colter Posted March 17, 2008 Report Share Posted March 17, 2008 That's a neat trick, going out with two and coming back with one ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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