P Doug (WA)

Those are really nice!

Paint the kayak.

Marine grade fir well work fine. I think Jeff used it before he got on to baltic birch. I also think you can still get by just oiling it also. Boy, I'd love to have the cash to buy $500 of BB. I love working with it.

That's a pretty little canoe. Now I think I understand what the "underlayment" was for.

I don't quit understand what the "underlayment " was for. Just a cushion between the frames and the covering fabric?

Floatingbear, I used ZAR Ultra Fast Drying Polyurethane. I couldn't get it locally so I ordered it from here: http://www.acehardwareoutlet.com/productDetails.aspx?sku=2130004509 This is not an ACE Hardware store. I got fast service and I think it was the best price I could find. 2 quarts is plenty. I mixed ZAR stain with it to get the color I wanted. I was able to get ZAR stain at my local ACE Hardware store. The carried the stain but not the ZAR poly, Go figure.

You are an ambitious man, Mr. Floatingbear. I hope you keep us posted on all of them.

That's just cool, Jeff! Congrats! FloatingBear, they well be impressed. They should start now so you can build them together. Even more fun that way.

Be sure and check all possibilities. Just this morning, I needed a sheet of 1/4" BB. The closest I knew of is 140 or so miles away, but I thought of a local shop that sells unfinished furniture and advertises some hardwood. I called and sure they have it. 1/4", 3/8", 1/2" and 3/4". I never knew he had it and last fall I made the long trip to get BB for my kayak. Check them all, it's only phone time spent. I'm a happy camper.

I found the coaming one of the most fun parts of the build. Fact I have second one built already for my next kayak. Make sure you have lots of clamps.

Floatingbear, you really seem to want to coat your frames with epoxy and it is your boat, so go for it. It certainly isn't going to hurt it, that I can tell, will only add a few ounces in weight, if that. If it give you piece of mind, it well make it worth it. I think most here are implying it certainly isn't necessary.

OH YA, I also forget about the coaming. Another good reason to build a bent one.

You could use Okoume plywood, Meranti plywood, Douglas Fir plywood, but any place you have about that would sell these would sell or be able to get you Russian Birch, I would think. Not know where you are located or what you have available makes it harder to answer. Remember you don't need but one sheet so it's not going to add up to a whole lot. I drove 130+ miles one way to get Russian Birch. My mistake was I figured I'd better buy 2 sheets in case I make a big mistake. I didn't even use a whole 5' x 5' sheet so now I have to build another boat to use it all up.

Got to be sure everyone understands you are talking the 5'x5' sheets of Russian(?) Baltic Birch and not the 4'x8' stuff purchased at the big box stores. Some new builder here may not realize there is a difference. I didn't until I can here and did some reading. Is it called Russian Baltic Birch or did I dream that at some time?

Well this reminds me, I have all the parts and instructions for making float bags. Been sitting in my workshop for months! Maybe I had better get to it.

Maybe they could make it mandatory but exempt us over 50! Na, I could live with it. Big change though when you think about it.

The Eskimos didn't have all this stuff! Coarse they didn't have polyester either..

When I built cigar box guitars, I started using metrics especially for placing fret markers. I got to where it was my preferred method for all the measurements. Unfortunately it is very hard to think in metric when you were born and raised in the U.S. I just can't easily switch back and forth. I do try to use metrics as much as possible.

Out of fear of probably not knowing what the heck I'm talking about and causing you great headaches, I'll wait for the more experienced to respond. Looking at your avatar, you probably have more experience than me. It's been real quiet on this form lately but I'm sure Jeff will check in soon.

Mike I probably shouldn't answer, I'm no expert. I'm sure the real builders will respond soon. If I were to answer I say yes Cypress would work. I thinks most any wood will work (we are talking stringers, right?). The important things I wild look for are : as straight grained as available; as knot free as possible. These boats are not stored in water and the stringers are oiled, so I would think you would be fine. I used pine salvaged from some quilting racks.

This was mentioned on the Family Woodworking Forum and I wanted to post it here. Jeff's Tangerine in Australia. Look at this site, scroll down about i/2 way. Jeff is becoming world famous! http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/12/splash/oct/index.html Congratulations!

Already have some good ones n facebook. I can't sign in to facebook, f orgot my login info. I'm out of town so Here is what I came up with, "The Kidzu"

Yep, wish I was close. This would make it twice as fun!

Looks like you have your answers, but wanted to welcome you to the forum. I'm sure your well enjoy the build, Feel free to post lots of pictures as you progresss, we love pictures. I built the curlew. My first attempt ever at building something like this and it was one of the most fun and rewarding projects I have done. So much so, that I have purchased the material to build another this winter. This time I am going to build the FreeB 14 Jeff provides plans for on hus site.

Sounds like a winner only I'd target pre-teens. Once they hit teens, they are usually pushing being ready of the full size. Those buggers grow fast and they probably wouldn't think it is cool to be seen in a "kids" boat.