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 ?

Matt - in your picture of your minivan - what length are the Yakima crossbars ? 48" or 58" - I plan to transport 3 SOF kayaks, and was wondering if I can fit 3 J type kayak racks on a pair of 48" crossbar.

Nice - what kind of protection are you using on the front there ?

Hello everyone - I am still looking for my perfect boat, as I build a couple of SOF kayaks for my kids. I have the Fuselage Frame Boats and the Curlew plan interests me. But I also see that in the new book there is a row boat called Flyfisher. Has anyone built this boat ? Any pictures ? Is there a length for the boat and a beam ? Weight ? Thank you, John

Thanks for the heads up ! I hope you heal fully. I build guitars, and those forums, every few months, comes up some horrors likes this. Especially the table saw. Can't play guitar with missing digits, so I am very careful about what I do. Keep in mind that before getting in front of every tool you have, to only be thinking about that tool, that you are aware awake and alert, and you know what can go wrong. Even a chisel can get you if you place you off hand in the wrong spot.

Got it - thanks !

True - I did not actually think about the fly fishing motions, I was thinking about the flypack attached to my PFD. Lure/bass fishing is just fine then.... Will either boat handle small ripples, class 1 rapids ? I want to plan a trip to the Shenandoah in Virginia and I am pretty sure there is a little more than flat water there. - Thanks Jeff - I will order the Ravenswood - I plan to be going to the local man made lakes. What do you think of the Shenandoah River, near the camping areas by Luray ? I have kids who will be in their SOF as well, so we will run the flatest areas for safety. I have not been to the river in 10 years, so I do not recall how it is.

Hello, I am about to purchase plans for the Ravenswood or the Curlew - I am about 200 lb and 5'10" with a size 11 shoe. I do have kayak experience, and K1 experience and coaching (20 years ago). My main question is - once I build one of these boats - will I have trouble getting in them ? What are the main differences between both boats ? What is the size of the coaming / opening for each ? I plan to launch from a dock most of the time, but there may be some beach launches as well in the bay. I am also an avid fisher/flyfisher - if I fish with a small flyfishing pack straped to my life vest - could I flyfish ? Although fishing is not my main purpose for this boat. I did see the Cast Away - but I am more interested in a longer boat witha narrow beam, such as these two. Thank you

thanks for the quick response - my plan was to add a sturdy inwale on it to place the outriggers. I bet it would also be fun as a paddle canoe as well.... Do you mean flyfisher from B&B ? It is a nice boat - but no I was looking for a SOF design. No chance of you making a design for a 33" beam, 16 foot rower is there ? :-) Either way I think I have to build something first - just to get a feel for what i really need - The pirogue might be it. What are the exact dimensions on the Crawfish - I could not find that on the website - 14' x beam, etc

Hello, I am new here and have not built a boat. I have used Sit on Top kayaks quite a bit and a few months stint with K1 racing/training. I do have woodworking experience as well. I am looking to build a SOF boat. I want it to be a rower. Dave Gentry's Ruth is my first choice, but my local waters will only allow boats no more than 16'/Class A. I have found some 16' and 15 rowers but not SOF. I believe the new book also has plans for an 18' rower as well. Dave is coming out with a 15 footer as well, but the beam is more than what i want at 42". I will build a scale model of the Ruth for fun as well, but I doubt I can use the full size version here. I was wondering if I can use the plans for the Crawfish pirogue and add outriggers to make a recreational rower, no sliding seat as they would be useless at the length. What do you think the suitability of that would be ? Has anyone built a crawfish ? Are there any pictures of a built Crawfish ? Thank you John