P Doug (WA)

Well I really wasn't expecting an answer about the bending form, but thanks. I shouldn't have introduced it in the middle of your thread. Since I was given an answer, I'll say, I invisioned the peg one as I laid awake at 2am and I think I am going to try that one. Not really adjustable but somewhat. The second on would be fun to build and when all the big orders start coming in I will spend the time to make something like that! If it doesn't work well I'll do what Dave said and go back to the curlew one.

It all looks like it would work just fine. While you are inventing, come up with a cheap, easy-to-make adjustible forum to use for making coaming for kayaks. Seems like each kayak has a little different shape and size coaming, I hate making individual forums for any future kayaks I may build.

I wrote: "Fact on on my next boat I won't trim the stringers that go into the o[pening until I get ready to put the coaming on" I try to learn from the mistakes I made on my first boat.

Not really kayak but it well help me on the FreeB14. I have been wanting to do this for some time to help when I rip the longer boards. I don't have much room to spare in my shop so I build an outfeed table for my table saw. I folds down to hang off the back of the saw. I think I am going to like it.

I always used Mineral Spirits. I would thin Acetone woud eveporate real quickly. Maybe I just learned something new....

Is there a place with more info on that type of strongback? Like, does it work on other size boats? I've never seen that type before and you are correct, looks good, for storing and such.

Jerry, if it is not too late, I have another suggestion for your coaming problem. I don't know why it didn't ring a bell with me before, but I had a similar problem. I answered it just a few minutes ago in this thread. http://messing-about.com/forums/topic/7841-curlew-build-log/page__st__40 . It may not be agreeable to all, but I think it will work. I'm banking on it.

It needs (needed) to over lap a little. Fact on my next boat I won't trim the stringers that go into the opening until I get ready to put the coaming on. The coaming needs to rest on it and the other ones if possible. I had to fudge a little, I added an extension on mine. I drilled it and the extension piece to accept a dowel and epoxied it on with a doweled butt joint. I'm pretty darn sure it is going to hold. Little things like this is the reason I feel I must build another. Use the education I got doing the first one. Otherwise all that learn'n would be wasted. My wife just doesn't see it that way! But, after 45 years she knows I'm going to build another one anyway..... Fact I've already started.

Looks like someone has tighter work quarters than even I have. But it is doable. I found that in tight quarters, clean up was necessary so every night I had a little clean up secession before I quit. Helped me keep my sanity. I found the lashing part very relaxing and always was able to do more each evening than I expected. Fact I hated to quit when I needed to. Yours is looking good. You may want to add more clamps if you don't use screws. It is essential that the frames do not move once everything is lines up. You well be doing some pretty serious pulling when you are lashing and you don't want things to move.

The sea tour 17 is not one of Kudzu Crafts' kayaks. I did a search for it on Bing and the first site I got had offsets. Looks a lot like the Kudzu Craft "Shad" to me. Jeff does not sell offsets. He does have some free sets. There is a FreeB 12 and a FreeB 14 (I just started on the FreeB 14), plus in his fine book there are two sets of offsets for a couple great kayaks, the Curlew which is a 15' er and the Poco Barta which is 17".

Looking good, Mike. Hope you get over the bug so you can get back to it. This is the first one of these so all eyes are on you! How good do you work under pressure!!

For those on the West Coast, well those anywhere if you can travel farther, Redfish Kayaks puts on an annual Wooden Kayak Rendezvous at Port Townsend, WA. I went several years ago and it was absolutely great. There were a few SOF kayaks there but it is mostly S & G and strip build. Some of them belonged in an art gallery! They have building demos going on most the time, tours for the kayak business like Redfish lots of kayaking demos and things to do. Port Townsend is worth a visit anytime. This year it is on July 27-29. Then there is the Wooden Boat Festival in Sept. That is on my bucket list for sure.

Sorry, can't give you and answer, but not being able to search this forum is a bummer. There is a search on the Home page, but it searches the whole internet, I think.

Maybe it would be good to have a little DVD player there to have your videos playing. The ones you have at your site that explains the building process. Some samples of products you sell, like the nylon and polyester cloth, back strap, foot pegs, etc. Pictures hanging around of kayaks that customers have built. The display area looks a little sparse.

Mike, you are moving along. I really excited to keep abreast of you build. Justgot to see what this craft looks like.

Okay, I think I well add them in. I can't hurt anything and it would be better than not and wish I had.

It didn't look like you that have built the FreeB 12 put the rump braces behind the coaming. I'm drawing up the FreeB 14, do you think they would be beneficial or is the opening big enough they are not necessary?

Another suggestion that might work. Undo the front and back top stringers at the points closest to the coaming and scarf on extensions. That may be harder though than just replacing them. I think it would be easier to do the stringers than building a new coaming. Just my humble opinion. On the other hand, redoing the coaming gives you a larger hole to crawl into. Guess I'm not being much help.

If you do, maybe try a sample. My ZAR varnish is their satin and it is much glossier than I would have expected. I don't think they have a "flat" varnish, least I didn't see it.

I don't know. I have a very small pin hole on the top of the boat by the coaming. Several people that have come to see the kayak in person have noticed it and commented, that I have better get that plugged! It's right next to the open cockpit,,, like it is going to let more water in than the big open hole I climb in???

Not really. I do like dealing with ZAR Varnish, easy and fast drying. Main reason is I have almost 2 quarts left!

I got near a Woodcraft store a couple weeks ago when I was on my way back from Calif. I decided to try some of the Mixol tint to see how it would work for coloring Zar Varnish. I tried to pick as close to hunter green as they had, at least to my eyes. I also picked a stone gray. Yesterday I decided play around a little. This is what it looked like with about 2 oz. varnish and a couple drops of Mixol. They are correct a little goes a long way. I like the green although not the hunter green I want. The gray is not at all to my liking. But them important thing I found out is that it works and works well. Getting the exact color a person wants may be a challenge. This is three coats, like would be done on a kayak.

Hey, another kite flyer! I have about 15 kites sitting around. Only time I really get to fly any is when I go to the Oregon coast. Never thought of the kite string, but you are correct. I think it would be a good choice.

Thanks but, Please, oh please, don't say "sinks"!!! Dave if I ever find the holes I drilled for the painter I well add it. With the sides so dark, I haven't been able to locate them. I've even tried shining a bright light on it to locate them. I think I can feel them, but not totally sure. Maybe I will get brave an stick a pin in to see it it is actually the hole.

Well today I declare my ship completed. I installed the skid strip and life line today. I placed an order, which included the rope for the life line with Jeff late Sunday night. It arrived today!! I was expecting it on Friday! So here are my set of "it's complete" pictures. Breakout the Champagne! It will go in the water as soon as the river gets over 62'. You well maybe notice - no painter. I, stupid me, drilled the hole for it, before I skinned the kayak, but after painting the hull, I can't find where I drilled it.