Kayak Deck & Hull get Attached Together!

The kayak finally looks like a kayak! Connecting the deck to the hull is probably the most difficult step of this build, but it’s quite important too. It’s a lot of prep work to get everything lined up and clamped down with strap clamps, packing tape, and even some CA glue in more difficult areas. Then thickened epoxy fillets are added to the entire perimeter and the bulkheads too, with fiberglass tape as extra reinforcement to tie everything together. It’s also a good way to work in your daily yoga routine yoga with all the awkward stretching.

[GHR]

Beautiful work. I built fiberglass race boats for awhile years ago. Bonding to wood was always and issue. Cool trick with the sawdust in the resin. Never thought of that.

[taotracy]

I thought I was a carpenter until I saw this man's work. Now I realize my work in comparison is like building pallets in the back yard. Beautiful work sir!

[Itsjustme-Justme]

I never thought about presaturating fiberglass. It's so simple and so brilliant.

[JohnSmith-fhrx]

A true craftsman. Popular Mechanic’s magazine ran a story years ago about a man (I believe in New York) who started a “Build A Boat” club getting at risk kids off the street and teaching them how to work with their hands. Each student had to build a boat, a small skiff once used in the harbor to ferry supplies to the ships Anchored in port. Very successful working with these kids.

[davebrittain]

There used to be a place near our cottage here in Ontario Canada where they specialized in cedar strip canoes that were absolutely gorgeous. They had the beautiful "guitar" type quality of build and finish. When the queen came to visit once they gave her one as a gift. Some of the nicest workmanship I have ever seen.

[cathoderay]

I always appreciate seeing good craftsmanship and things that are not mass produced. There is just more of a feeling of "soul" from those things made by hand. Thanks for posting.

[welcometofpv]

I used to do woodworking years ago and smokes. This is pure talent. This is what happens when you put real love into your craft. Beautiful beautiful work

[DudeMan]

The years invested in your craft shows!

[AZsmoothrider]

Such a worthy art form! In 1993 I commissioned an 8' pram from my 92 yo friend Fred (Anacortes WA, RIP) who built wooden boats for 70 years at that point. All old school in his head...steam and hand tools in his garage -no power tools- He even made the oars. I gave it to my mom and dad after many solo lake fishing trips...they still have and use it!

[mitchellminer]

I like rolling the pre-saturated fiberglass.
Marvelous work.

[Sierra]

Pre-saturating the fiberglass like that is brilliant! I'm not a kyak builder but I have a ratty old "classic car" leaving stains on the driveway and that tip will come in handy doing fiberglass repair on some of the bodywork. Thanks so much!
And beautiful craftsmanship on that kayak, looks like a work of art :)

[Blobfish]

That’s the prettiest kayak I’ve ever seen. There was a neighbor when I was a kid who built wood kayaks. He painted and shellacked his.. I love how beautiful the wood is on yours.

[Zizeh]

The roll of fiberglass and epoxy is genius, definitely stealing that trick

[Ninjump]

The trickiest part of building a wooden kayak is stayung dedicated enough to see this level of quality to the end of the project. Like seriously wth man, that is incredible

[vail]

Nice to see a craftsman diligently doing his passion❤

[michaelcook]

Looks awesome, Ron Swanson would be proud

[jeffreywong]

This piece is a work of art. So much time spent on it and money spent on this.

[gidonricardo]

1) Really nice work! 👏👏👏
2) Thank you for showing how its done. 🙏
Not taken for granted.

[MaTTy-BG]

Absolutely brilliant craftsmanship 10/10 👍

[dalemcmurray-hnsc]

That man is a master, carpenter and builder anybody that can build a boat that good is incredible craftsmanship it looks beautiful❤DALE.