Introduction

[cdunc]

I just wanted to post to introduce myself and to ask a few questions.

My name is Craig.  I am an amateur woodworker with no sailing experience.  I have mostly built various furniture items around the house.  Sailing is one of those things that I have yearned to learn about and hey Lake Lanier is right up the road.

I found this site while browsing the woodnet forums.  Someone over there was posting the progress of his kayak build.  Once I started reading this forum and seeing the finished products, the idea of building a boat/kayak bacame very intriguing.  Until I started reading this forum I had no idea people could build such beautiful boats at home.  I also get the sense that the people who post and monitor this forum are very knowledgeable and willing to help out.  A useful, friendly forum is a valuable thing.

Looking at the different B&B designs I am thinking that the Mocassin 2 or the Birder 2 would be a good way to get my feet wet ( no pun intended ) with the process of building a boat.  The birder looks a little more involved than the Mocassin.  I would welcome anyone's thoughts on which would be a better first boat build.

Which books if any would you suggest that might be helpful to understanding the build?

I am in the Atlanta metro area.  Any fellow Atlantans out there who could suggest a vendor to buy marine grade plywood.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.

Craig

[Tom Lathrop]

Birder and Moccasin are different versions of the same basic design.  Adding the deck is the major difference and that should pose no real problem. 

There is a Woodenboat owners and builders group in Atlanta that can help.  I can't tell you how to get in touch though.  Is there still enough water in Lake Lanier to float a kayak : ;D

[wkisting]

Hi Craig,

I'm in Augusta, GA and building the B&B Core Sound 20 (hull #102... which has an obnoxiously long thread where I post all my questions in an attention-deficit manner that others have been kind enough to accommodate).

I'm posting a building log at http://www.roguepaddler.com/coresound20.htm  and if you click chapter two "Selecting and Gathering Materials" it tells you where I obtained all of my materials. The article is unfinished since I have yet to give my impressions of the paint/varnish (which haven't been applied yet).

If you have any questions, or if you're visiting the Augusta area and would like to see my build, feel free to give me a call: 706-513-4346. (My name is Wes, as the signature below shows).

There is a boat-building supplier in the Atlanta Metro area called Southern Crown Boatworks (http://www.southerncrownboatworks.com/). I found their prices to be a bit high and ended up going with other supppliers, but other folks have recommended them and they are certainly kind on the phone. Plus, you may save a bundle on shipping if you can pick up locally through them.

[cdunc]

Wes,

I have been monitoring your "obnoxiously long thread".  A lot of good information there.  Watching the progress on a long build such as yours is kind of like reading a good book.  Can't wait to find out what is next, although I know that the final result will be a very nice boat that you can take pride in knowing you built it.  I think that is what appeals to me about building a kayak.

I am currently winding down on a wood shop project to build a bed for my son, but then I will start thinking about the next project which might be the birder 2.  I will look into Southern Crown for the supplies since they are local.  How flexible is the plywood?  Someone described it as thick poster board.  My wife has a minivan, so I am wondering if I can get the plywood in the back or if it would be easier to strap it on the roof.  If it is flexible enough I might be able to bend it enough to fit in back.

I don't get down to Augusta much but if I do I will definitely look you up.

Craig

[Garry]

Hi Craig,

I just finished a Birder 2. You might want to take a look at my photo site at:

http://www.pbase.com/sailrosita/kayak

I also have a Dodge mini-van and haul the plywood inside with the rear seats removed. I think thats much better than on the roof rack because you don't have support for the full length and the plywood is too flexible. I was able to fit the metric sized plywood (99+") with both forward seats moved forward. It was a little uncomfortable with my long legs but safe and sound.

Garry

[davidpm]

A trick I use all the time is to tie two 2x4x8's on the roof rack. Then I can use 6" c-clamps to clamp a few sheets of ply to the 2x4's. The whole setup is fast and very secure.

[cdunc]

David,  Thanks for the tip.  I might do that as the backup plan.  Try to fit inside and fall back to roof rack if need be.

Garry, I looked at every birder2 picture on your site.  Great information there.  As someone who has built both the spindrift and the birder, where would you put the level of difficulty for each (scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being difficult).  Birder at 3 and Spindrift at 7??  I was going to start with the birder as a way to learn the ropes of building a boat with the idea of building something bigger later on.  But if the Spindrift is not that much of a jump I might start with that.  Maybe the 11N. 

Thanks,

Craig

[Garry]

Hi Craig,

Actually, the skill level for both is about the same. The birder is a simpler design; no seats or centeboard (forthe sailing version). The coaming on the Birder was a little tedious. There are a few more hours in the Spindrift. But overall, neither is more dificult in my mind.

They are both fun and rewarding projects. Good luck!