1st Kayak build

_AL_guest · Post by **_AL_guest** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 9:15 pm

G'Day guys (& Girls?)
I've been lurking for a little while but it's time to bite the bullet & build something so I have a few questions if you don't mind?

Background,
I'm looking for a kayak to do some fishing & get a bit of excersize.
I've never built a stitch & glue boat before, Infact I've never paddled a kayak before so no skinny fancy stuff, simple & stable is the ticket.
I spent 15 years in the smash repair trade so I'm pretty handy with my hands, just no experience with stitch & glue (yet).

My first question is, which kayak?
I quite like the look of the laker (HairyMick, I must compliment your 2 lakers, they both look fantastic) and also the Freedom however I'm not sure if these would be suitable for a novice? Any advice?

Question 2,
I've priced the materials for the laker & have come out at between $435 & $525 Aussie , depending on the type of ply used (4mm full glass option). Does this sound about right or should I shop around more?
I would appreciate any advice you can offer.
Thanks.

Al

lark2004 · Post by **lark2004** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 1:25 am

the price sounds about right..... depends sometimes on location as to how much the suppliers charge. Where in Aussie are ya?

_AL_ · Post by **_AL_** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 3:42 am

Thanks Lark.
Im in Hornsby, Just North of Sydney.
I won't post the names of the suppliers at this point as I'm not sure if that is ok or a nono here but they are all fairly local.

Al

Post by **jem** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 9:02 am

Posting Aussie supply sources is just fine. On fact posting suppliers from most anywhere is fine. There are only one or two in the States I do not like making reference to in this forum because of questionable business ethics. If their name pops up, I simply edit their name out queitly. No slap on the wrist for anyone!

As far as a first build and style of paddling, Freedom sounds more your speed. But as a starter project, I suggest a pirogue or the Boat Shelf plans as an inexpensive "warm up".

Welcome and good luck!!!

hairymick · Post by **hairymick** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 6:39 pm

G'day Al & welcome aboard mate.

Thanks for the very nice words too.

Have a look at Matt's Pirogue 14-29 and in particular, have a look at the job Digr57 has done on his.

viewtopic.php?t=2248

Spectacular!

It might suit your needs very well as a warm up boat and still get you out on the water while you consider your next build.

The figures you quote are pretty close on the investment. I would recommend you use quality epoxy resin like West Systems. Some of the others have pretty bad ammine bloom.

Also, explore the possability of using 4mm Gaboon marine ply - well woth the extra cost. I get mine from Australian Wood Panels.

_AL_ · Post by **_AL_** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 7:00 am

Thanks guys, I appreciate all of your input.
To be honest I think the Pirogue would be a snack to build & I'd get bored. I need a challenge to keep the motivation.
I've worked with Epoxy on both custom fishing rods & radio controlled sailplanes so I don't expect too many issues so long as I double check every step in stitching & measuring for squareness.

Which Freedom would you recommend Matt?

Thanks for the tip on the Epoxy Mick. My Quote was from FGI who have their own label (goodness knows where it actually comes from) at $86 for a 6kg resin kit. Might have a bit more of a look around. The place I used to get West systems stuff from is long gone.
I have a "Mr Plywood" up the road & got quotes on Hoop pine, Kauri, Mahogany & Pacific Coachwood.
I did a quick google & found a place about 30 minutes from here that carries Gaboon so I might go see em on the weekend.

Thanks again guys. I'm getting keen to start on this now. I've even got the go ahead from the missus. Much easier than trying to build it on the sly.

Al

Post by **jem** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 8:33 am

If plan on covering some distance with a decent load on bored, the longer Freedom is the best one to choose.

hairymick · Post by **hairymick** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 3:22 pm

Al,

West Systems is supplied here by ATL Composites. It is a bit dearer than the FGI stuff (which I haven't used) so I really can't compare.

International Paints also make epoxy resin (HT9000) but it has bad ammine blush issues.

I have heard good things about Boatcraft Pacific resin but never used it.

Like Matt said, Freedom 15 would be my choice too.

Oldsparkey · Post by **Oldsparkey** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 6:49 pm

hairymick wrote:Al,

Like Matt said, Freedom 15 would be my choice too.

I was going to stay out of this but since I have used the 1st Freedom ever made ( the prototype ) on several camping trips. You might say I am biased on my thoughts but it sure worked good for me.

Now you can forget I have the 8 other boats I have made for the same reason and just say .... He could of used one of them. YES... I could of but I chose the Freedom for those trips. Fresh water river trips and one into the Gulf of Mexico , offshore in the waves and surf then inland.

I would suggest that you make the boat that appeals to you and for what you want to use it for. Personal choice is the hardest decision then getting the nerve ( guts) to make it is the worse decision. When you decide then making it is a labor of love and even better when you paddle it.

You and you alone know what you want .... no one else does since they can't read your mind.

Happy decisions but when you decide you will have the boat you want.

From my web site...... Trips section.... Ocklawaha River Jan 07. I had all of this in the Freedom and had plenty of room for more stuff. I packed light but comfortable.

Chuck.

_AL_ · Post by **_AL_** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 8:37 pm

Thank you kindly for your advice gentlemen.
I've decided to build the Freedom 11 first & then the 15.
Matt, you have an order waiting in your in tray.

I did consider building a pirogue as some of you recommended however I think it would end up being something I would paddle 2 or 3 times & never use again. The plan is to find some motivation to exercise more hence the fishing kayak.
If the 11 ends up looking like a piece of carp than I'll just revert to my old smash repairer days & bung in a bit of filler & paint it up pretty. So long as it's straight & square I'll be happy.
The lessons learned on that should help in making the 15 a nice build.

The only thing left is to find a decent local source of ply. I'm starting to doubt the advice I was given by the local guy after he told me Gaboon is poor quality rubbish & he won't supply it..... Seems most Kayak builders don't agree, coincidence that it is $16 a sheet cheaper than his cheapest alternative...... Hmmm.

Matt,
It looks like you don't have any pics of a Freedom 11 build so I'll try to take some decent pics & post em for you. I'll try to exclude the bodgy bits.

Thanks again guys. I appreciate all of your input.

Al