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After a first time kayak adventure last year in a plastic sit-on kayak, I knew that I'd have to get to get my own but for less money and better performance. I also like to build things. Being an airplane mechanic that has worked with vintage planes, finding Kudzu Craft on the internet was all I needed to lock-in my decision. The laminated coaming and floorboards are still in-work but since it just came off the strongback, here are some quick FROG photos. Since I started, I scrapped my initial bow, Stern and fwd coaming support frame. Through the magic of CAD, a laser cutter and reading this internet forum, I was able to attempt recreating the grandeur of newer Kudzu cockpits while retaining the elegance of the original design. I do not recommend or condone altering the design though due to product liability, safety and respect for the designer (sorry). The stringers are wrc finished with spar varnish. The grey frames are saber-saw cut bb ply coated with polyurethane epoxy and the ply with the charred edges are the laser pieces finished with spar varnish. More and better photos to follow after the coaming is done. In Arizona, grass isn't plentiful in yards. Thanks for all the support this community and Kudzu has provided during this build.

With all structure except the chine stringers in place and lashed, my next step is to secure the gunwales to the tip of the bow. Both gunwales protrude 3/16 above the bow as the photo shows. Would it be better to sand the gunwale tops flush with the bow or preload them into alignment? Does it matter? I'm inclined to sand the tops. I've checked the alignment of the frames and also confirmed that the deck stringer meets the bow top at the same angle. Also, pulling the gunwales flush at the bow while on the strong back raises the frame behind the bow frame about the same amount. Thanks, and pardon the clutter in the garage.

Here's partial work on a boat rare to the forum. Looks like a fish skeleton. Almost ready to assemble. https://photos.app.goo.gl/vNmVQYklR8BvzXkQ2

Hi, I am completely new to boat construction and have never been in a sea kayak. However, taking a 75 mile journey in a tandem Hobie pedal kayak piqued my interest in kayaks. I'm an airplane mechanic and a fan of vintage plane construction. I like the design of these Horton boats, especially the Poco Barta. I've lofted the offsets onto paper templates. I like the idea of the kudzu comfort frames but the original offsets don't include the split design of the forward coaming support frame(9'3"). Using logic from Nimrod offsets and Poco Barta data, I made offset data for a lower mid-coaming frame. Is it appropriate to post those offsets here for review? I noticed later that the Poco Barta on the book's cover has this Incorporated and an additional mid-coaming frame that secures the forward end of the floor boards. Also, I tweaked the design of frames 5'6", 6'5"and 9'3" a bit. Can those be posted here as well? Thanks