Project Canoes and Kayaks

[stuphoto]

This project will again probably take a couple months with my work schedule.

Over the last few days I have started the G.Doreen, named in honour of my moms memory.

It honestly started out as a few rough cut boards from a Grand Forks mill. One custom cut to 18' long. They rarely cut anything longer than 16 feet, and that little extra made things a lot harder.
All Western Larch and Red Cedar, cut locally.

This is how it is looking at at the moment.


Pinned with dowles however it will also be lashed ( the traditional construction )


The Stern ( back )

The nylon ties will again be replaced with lashing.

The Bow

My plans actually involve rounding the bottom sharp corner out a little and steam bend the extra up increasing the strength a little.

[Catsumi]

What covering are you going to use? Mine had 40 oz. vinyl reducing the weight. Smooth and quiet as we slipped thru waters.

The nose end was sheathed in a metal rib protecting the wood from surprise meeting with rocks, floating debris.

[stuphoto]

This loose pin is just temporarily.

The angle of the sides dictates how pointed it is on the front to back.
If it was 90 degrees it would be completely flat across the top. I have it at around 65 degrees over most of the length giving it a nice shape. However I also reduced this angle to around 80 degrees towards the rear bringing it almost level.

In comparison to my old kayak, this one is 3 inches narrower and almost 2 feet longer.
Just a little more shallow.

It should be a good size for a 2 or 3 day trip, and strong enough for some pretty nasty swells when finished.

I did get inspiration from the original kayak, however the truth is I have studied 50+ designs online and borrowed little bits and pieces from every one of them.
I can guarantee that it will float and even stay dry on the inside.
However at this time, I don't know how functional it will be

[stuphoto]

What covering are you going to use? Mine had 40 oz. vinyl reducing the weight. Smooth and quiet as we slipped thru waters.

The nose end was sheathed in a metal rib protecting the wood from surprise meeting with rocks, floating debris.

Hi Cats,
I honestly don't know what weight material I will be using yet.
I want it to be as light as possible this time without sacrificing the strength.
Plus I am hoping on having the skeleton visable in the sunlight.

[Catsumi]

Clear vinyl?

[stuphoto]

I am thinking about it
Honestly most likely white.
I plan on taking this one in the ocean, and if the sharks are going to bite me I don't want them going after the juicy parts first

[Catsumi]

White meat, dark meat. You know he will try both.

[seewood]

It should be a good size for a 2 or 3 day trip, and strong enough for some pretty nasty swells when finished.

What an amazing project. Very impressed. Have you or are you implementing a couple of storage compartments if you are planning a few day excursion?
Nasty Swells, broken island group? Haida Gwaii?

The Lake just develops a nasty chop, with whitecaps.

[stuphoto]

Thank you Seawood,
It is tough to make proper bulkheads in this design, so everyone just uses Trek floatbags.
They have done an excellent job engineering them and build a quality product for about $100 USD.
These floatbags have storage built inside, roll the end. Slide them in place and blow them up.

And cats,

Since I want it to float perfectly with me sitting in it, I will be wrapping it in clear plastic but a loose cockpit. Then taking it up to Jewel Lake and testing it out. I have it set up so I can slide the cockpit forward or backward around 6 inches until I find that perfect spot.
That is an issue with my old kayak, if I sit as far forward as possible it rides much better but is uncomfortable.
So I struggle with the handling but paddle in comfort.

[Catsumi]

I like the idea of a sliding cockpit. That will also come in handy when facing winds and you want to bend forward. Slide it back, crack a brew, enjoy the sun.

Great project and good to see you exploring construction possibilities.

[stuphoto]

Time for the next update.

I have started steam bending the ribs.
I honestly have a post on the strictly wood thread showing my present steam box.


They are set in a 1/2 inch mortise.


And the exciting part.
This sets the general shape of the hull.


I still have 15 more ribs to go.
Steam Bending Western Larch isn't easy. I have broken more than I have set.
I do have some a little more green, which may work better for the rest.

My next time in Kelowna I need some artificial leather twine for the lashing.
Plus 7 yards of fabric.

[stuphoto]

I finally got the last rib placed a couple days ago and brushed on Raw Linseed oil yesterday.
I spent today lashing it together.

The front


The back.


The traditional lash.


Although it is no stronger, I used a cross lash in the cockpit region.

I still have around 60 more to go.

All the structure will be lashed together or the in the case of the ribs the skin will hold them tight in the mortises.
There will be absolutely no modern fasteners in the finished product.

I still need one piece of wood from the local mill, so I will be loading it onto my roofrack to show it to them.
Plus head to a local lake for a short paddle with my other kayak.
I wonder how much attention this one will grab

[dirtybiker]

Mighty fine project. Respect !

[stuphoto]

Not much to update so far other than all the lashing on the ribs is completed.




I hired this professional boat builder to help me today.

Her name is Lucy and she works for snacks and icecream.
She belongs to a good friend and needed a place to stay for a couple nights.

It is weird, the boat is almost starting to develop a life of its own.
Just the slightest of breeze was blowing it across the sawhorses today.

Oh and it looks like I am starting a summer job driving bus on Vancouver Island and will be spending my days off on the ocean front.
So this boat will have plenty of use.

[stuphoto]

I wanted this boat to fit me like a glove, so I spent a fair amount of time with the tape measure and my other kayak looking at minimum clearance around my legs and butt.
However even with these careful measurements I wanted to make up a test cockpit and ensure I could get in.



I just have enough room to squeeze in.


The real cockpit will be at least an inch lower on the back making it easier to get in and out, however if anyone even a little bigger than I am tries to use it they are in trouble.
Oh I don't wear shoes while kayaking, but do have some dedicated footwear for when required.


I am also grateful I did the test fit now.
I discovered that the ribs can scrape my ankles, so I will be rounding them off before applying the fabric.
I should have done this anyway but got lazy or too excited.