Hatches

Nick Schade demonstrates the process of installing bulkheads and hatch rings on a stitch and glue sea kayak. He carefully fits each component, making adjustments as needed, and secures them using epoxy fillets and specialized adhesives. Nick provides detailed explanations of his techniques and the reasoning behind his choices, offering valuable insights for kayak builders.

Nick and Bill sand cured epoxy fillets to prepare for fiberglassing the interior of a Chesapeake Light Craft kayak kit. They mix small batches of epoxy, applying it with rollers and brushes. Nick coaches Bill on technique for evenly wetting out the 4oz fiberglass without excess. They use a slotted cup to remove the excess epoxy, ending up with a nicely reinforced interior.

In this video, Nick Schade and Bill are building the Petrel Play SG Stitch and glue sea kayak kit from Chesapeake Light Craft. The focus is on continued assembly of the deck and installing the hatch and cockpit recesses. They emphasize the importance of creating a recessed hatch to keep the kayak dry and maintain the boat's sleek look. Throughout the process, they encounter challenges, such as ensuring the panels fit tightly, but they remain committed to creating a high-performance kayak.

This episode Nick and Bill are working on assembling the deck, focusing on various components like the cockpit and hatches. They discuss the use of a heat gun to shape plywood parts, the importance of achieving a good fit, and the comfort and functionality benefits of the assembled components.