Sea Kayak

This video shows the process of fiberglassing the inside of a stitch and glue kayak hull after it has been stitched and glued together. Fiberglassing the inside is tricky since gravity works against properly conforming the cloth to all the corners. The key technique is ensuring adequate cloth is worked into every seam so there are no bridges where the cloth gaps across corners. Rather than perfecting each section before moving on, the goal is to quickly get reasonable coverage across all surfaces, then refine problem areas. Excess resin should be removed with a "grunge cup" - a cup with a slit for the squeegee - since excess resin adds weight and reduces strength.

After assembling the panels, Nick and Bill inspected the glued seams, sanded bumps, and removed temporary wires. He mixed thickened epoxy with wood flour to create fillets - radiused joints that structurally bond panels. Well-shaped fillets reduce stress and allow fiberglass to conform smoothly. Nick demonstrated mixing the two-part epoxy and adding wood flour to reach an ideal peanut butter-like consistency. He quickly dispensed fillets from a piping bag along inside seams before the exothermic reaction heated it up, then shaped them and cleaned excess epoxy. Nick emphasized getting the right consistency and working fast. Ideally fiberglass goes over tacky epoxy, but allowing it to cure first works too.

In this episode of The Guillemot Kayaks Workshop, Nick Schade is building the Petrel play SGC kayak using a kit from Chesapeake Light Craft. Collaborating with his friend Bill, who is new to boat building, they work on stitching up the tight seam between the panels. Breaking down the process into shorter episodes, Nick demonstrates using copper wires to align the panels and create a secure seam. The holes for stitches are pre-drilled, and the beveled edges simplify the assembly. The goal is to ensure the panels are tightly stitched before moving on to the next steps, including gluing and fiberglassing.

In this episode of The Guillemot Kayaks Workshop, hosted by Nick Schade, the construction of the Petrel Play SG Sea kayak using Chesapeake Light Craft's kit is explored. Collaborating with Bill, who is new to boat building, they focus on the meticulous process of panel stitching and form installation. The emphasis on using Chesapeake Light Craft's kits underscores their significance in boat building. The episode is a comprehensive guide for aspiring builders, offering valuable insights into handling copper wires and strategically placing forms. Nick's enthusiasm creates a sense of community, making the boat-building journey both educational and engaging.

In this episode, Nick and Bill progress with hull assembly, meticulously aligning puzzle joints. They discuss determining outer and inner sides based on veneer quality due to the absence of bevels on some panels. CNC tabs are removed, and Cyanoacrylate (CA) glue is applied for swift joint securing. Nick emphasizes the non-structural role of CA glue, with epoxy reinforcement to follow. The importance of panel orientation and bevel-side alignment is reiterated during side panel and steeler assembly.

The Guillemot Kayaks collaborates with Chesapeake Light Craft to build a kit of the Petrel Play SG design. This stitch-and-glue kayak, an alternative to the strip-built version, uses Okoume marine plywood. The process involves staining the plywood with an alcohol-based stain for added aesthetics. Nick discusses the staining technique, the choice of plywood, and the subsequent epoxy coating for protection. The episode concludes with a preview of the boat-building process.

Nick introduces a new project, building the Stitch and Glue Petrel Play SG kayak. The design history, features, and durability are discussed, emphasizing its suitability for various skill levels. The boat's versatility, lightweight design, and ease of handling make it ideal for both beginners and hardcore paddlers. Plans and kits are available for those interested in building it themselves. Enjoy the journey of building and paddling this unique and adaptable kayak!

Tradition

The articles in the late great print magazine “Sea Kayaker” featured articles of people doing multi day expeditions to far exotic places. Today’s legendary kayaks became legendary because of the legendary expeditions to remote shores in which they were used.