I made good progress this week. Got the last few strips installed in the hull. Next step is to fair out the hull a little then flip it over and start on the deck. I used a few staples to get the keel strips located, but otherwise did it all with clamps and rubber bands. I'm pretty pleased with the results so far.

Hull getting close

Lot of progress this weekend. Most of the hull is stripped and I've done a little work with the plane to fair it out. It's looking like a boat. It is really amazing how the boat gets stronger and more rigid with each new strip. The strips by themselves you can snap like a toothpick, but glued together in the hull shape they make quite a strong structure.

No Staples Yet

Making progress. Nate helped me get 2 strips on tonight. I've made some custom doodads to hold the strips tight. Using 1/4 alum rod to protect the groove and an oak u clamp with rubber bands. I've got another doodad to torque the strips over to hold tight to the forms when needed.

Progress

Finished up the strongback and molds and got the shear strips installed. The shear is where the hull meets the deck and these first strips will be at the joint. These first strips are difficult because they need to be exactly in the right locations and they need to be mitered where the shear joint will be.

I'm trying to build without using staples. At least not in real visible areas. I made a bunch of aluminum angles to use for clamping.

Some of the bend are too tight for the strips so I made up a steamer using a hot plate, coffee pot, and some plastic pipe. After the water is boiling, I shove the strip in the end of the pipe, steam for 20 minutes, and the wood will bend like a noodle.

More decisions: When I ordered the forms from CLC I opted for the high deck version mostly to have more under deck space. Looking at the lines as I set up the high deck forms I became concerned that maybe the low deck would be better. I did a bunch of fourm searching to see what others are thinking and doing. Found a thread with a link to Roger Turgeon's project. Roger used the high deck stern with the low deck bow. I really like the looks of this so I've modified mine to match.

I made a mirror image copy of the plans so I could tape left and right together for a full form view. Then I pasted plans to forms and cut out the high deck portion. Finally, continued to screw to the beam using cleats.

Decided that I need much more stability to hold the forms rigid so I built a strong back table and some risers to support the box beam. Next step is to make some cleats to stabilize the forms and true everything up.

November 27, 2009

I decided I needed a better workspace. Build a long work table along the west wall, bought some more clamps, and set up a radio. Glued up another few parts of the box beam.

I decided I'd like to inlay a Celtic Knot on the foredeck.

Step One

Thanksgiving Day 2009.

Starting a new project today. It is a cedar strip kayak called the Night Heron. This is picture of another builder's project





Opened the boxes and started to inventory items and set up shop. First building step is to build the strong back.