jaguiler

I would start with Jeff Horton's books - Fuselage Frame Boats and More Fuselage Frame Boats. Both are well written, and you can supplement the information from what you see on here. Both books contain plans and directions on how to draw out the frames.

Thanks - looking forward to building a rowboat next - maybe Flyfisher - possible in Sept - as the water may get too cold in October to kayak (for the kids, in case they flip it) and it is fishing season. I must add - that the flotation works really well. Unfortunately, one of my kids flipped over. He had trouble getting out of the boat, but kept his head above water. I swam to him, after jumping from my canoe, and flipped him back over quickly and easily. The boat was full of water, but was still able to paddle - due to the pool noodles. We spent the next week practicing getting in and out of the kayak. Point is - there is no substitute to having a parent nearby, preferably in a boat, and practice, as well as some solid flotation.

finished a bit ago - looking forward to building my next 2. I may try coated poly as my cloth next.

Here are the pics - same fabric from the ebay seller - it takes on a darker color with the Spar - I was able to pull the cloth tight and did not use an iron.

Of course it works - Jeff is right - it is 11oz - uncoated. I just built 2 kayaks with this. I will most likey build my Ravenswood with it. I did not mention my source earlier, as to not cut into Jeff's sales - but since he is also curious about it - I will say it worked great - I coated with Spar varnish as well -

ugh... I figured I made a mistake when buying just 2 quarts today - I can take one back and pick up a gallon - thanks !

Hello - and thanks in advance - how much varnish/paint is needed to cover a SOF kayak (assuming 3 coats to waterproof) ? I thought I read somewhere - about 1 quart should do it. But I am having my doubts that I actually saw that. I am thinking I should buy a gallon - which will give me enough to cover 2 kayaks - (I am building 2 11' kayaks) Thank you !

I wanted to share what I have been working on and what I have planned, in case it helps anyone in the future. I am building two kayaks for my kids. They are both twins and 7 years old - so I am building 11' boats for them. I started by reading Jeff's book which came with a few plans. I have to add that the book is very well written and very easy to understand. I have been using the techniques described in the book to build my kayaks. My next project will be a Ravenswood. Being a kids kayak - I was not too anal about my materials. I used Purebond baltic birch from Home Depot. I found some 11oz, uncoated camo poly as well - (kids choice) to use as a cover. Western red cedar stringers and lashed everything on the boat - no screws, no glue. Pool noodles for flotation. The boat is not Jeff's design, so please don't ask out of respect to Jeff's design. I have used his book extensively and plan to purchase plans for Ravenswood.

Thanks Hirilonde - this was my logic and what I suspected - thanks for the info - and confirmation.

But reading here - the best coating on these frames is the oil. So with that time schedule - Tung may be out - and BLO in, regardless of the darkening - I can use polyurethane on the visible wood in the cockpit to protect from UV. What are other frame coating options ?

How many coats ? How many coats of BLO would you suggest ?

Hello - I see by many posts and info on the Internets that Tung Oil (100%) takes a long time to dry. But there is no specific time - 1. How many coats does kayak frame take ? 2. What do you think the approx (given differences in temp and humidity) drying time for Tung oil is for a kayak frame ? Thank you in advance John PS - My choice as of now is BLO by Kleen - from Home Depot. I do like all the positive things I have been reading about Tung oil - but the downside is the drying time. I want to finish the kayaks for my kids ASAP - before summer is gone.

Hello everyone, Assuming the Kevlar is affordable and comparable in price to other materials - how would it be for a skim material ? Has this been done ? I know Kevlar does not stretch - but does it behave like Nylon, where it wrinkles, or more like polyester ? Also - what type of coating sticks to Kevlar ? regular paint or is it a picky material to finish with paint ? Thank you ! John

Any more thoughts on the coated nylon ?

I was planning on the Camo fabric - do you know if the design is on both sides, or just the coated side ?