ttkayaker

I always use my roof rack to bring home my wood. If you do not have one, it should be your next purchase. I recommend a high quality rack system from either Thule, or Yakima. I have used Thule for over 25 years.

Here is my kayak painted white.

Here is a photo of my leather rigging. I used 5/16" strips cut from a latigo strap sold by Tanty Leather. For toggles I used Deer antlers cut and drilled. I finished my kayak so it would be transparent, then a year later I painted it white.

Great looking kayak. Where in Ohio are you? I am in Akron. We have plenty of Western Red Cedar.

Here are some photos of paddle carving.

Why not carve the Greenland paddle now while the paint is drying? It only takes one or two days to carve it. All you need is a Western Red Cedar 2X4 .Most people recommend a length that measures from the ground to under your curled fingers with your arm straight above your head.

Here is my Disko Bay. A David Gentry Design. Did not know about Kudzu at the time.

I painted my kayak with Dura-Tuff polyurethane. What kind of paint should I use to paint over the original polyurethane to add color to my boat?

What kind of wood did you use? Did you bend it using a heat gun or did you soak it?

After paddling for about 30 minutes I got out and had a cup or so of water in the bottom. Is that normal or should I be looking for the leak? It has three coats of varnish for water proofing.

Here is a close-up photo of the pulls

I just finished sewing up my kayak using the double cord method with 8 oz polyester. I might of pulled it to tight. I am looking for suggestions as to what is best to fill the holes before painting. I plan to keep it clear by using Famowood Dura-Tuff Clear Coat.

Thanks for the info about using the hot knife to melt the cord ends. What do you do about small pull holes in the 8 oz polyester fabric? I have not used an iron yet to shrink the fabric.

I just completed stitching from the cockpit to the stern using Jeff's double cord method. The nylon cord loop is sticking out about one inch past the stern. Do I just cut it off or is there something else I should be doing with the loop? I assume I do the same thing to the two ends in the cockpit.

Here is a photo of a student working on his frame at the Center for Wooden Boats at Lake Union outside under a pavilion. It sound like you got the lodging and food covered.

That looks like a great location. I have seen other skin on frame classes successfully taught outside under a roof. There are several taught every year outside under a roof at the Center for Wood Boats at Lake Union in Seattle, WA. It was seeing that class while on vacation that got me interested in this type of construction. Another plus for being outside is that outsiders get to see what you are doing. Word of mouth advertising. Would there be a place to sleep and eat nearby?

What other shows do you plan to attend, any in Ohio?

I saw the class and they really were hard workers! I am glad the boats turned out so well. I enjoyed seeing photos of the finished boats.

Per your suggestion Jeff, I went to a kite store and bought a spool of 1000 ft./ 50 lb. twisted polyester flying line for $10. I have not tried sewing with it yet.

Its a great color. I can't wait to see all of the finished boats. How did the stitching class go?

What type of economical hot knives are people using to cut and sear polyester fabric?

I have just purchased two quarts of the Dura-Tuff Clear Coat for $25 each, no tax and no shipping. Lisa in Cleveland,OH, over bought. She now has six quarts remainig at $25 ea. If you buy sveral she says she will cut the price. I was lucky, I live in Akron, not far from Lisa. Call her at 216-215-6804.

How thick should the strips be to make a laminated coaming, 3/32, 1/8, or 3/32" thick? Should the final thickness be near 1/2" or greater?