kayak build

Anyone ever attempt to build a SOT kayak from scratch? Or anyone know of a kit to start with. I build surfboards for a living so I work with different types of resin everyday. I was just curious how difficult it would be to build one.

Chesapeake Light Craft, Gem Watecraft, and Guillemot all offer kit SOT kayak builds.

-Allen

I remember a fellow at the last Bendo at Mendo who built wooden kayaks. I wonder if he built from kit or scratch.

One of my friends builds his own. I think he may have posted the Sit on Top that he made on here somewhere. Here is a pic but it does not do the kayak justice.

nice work...does not make me think of the word stable though...

One man's "tippy" is another man's "stable" is another mans "polybarge".

Check out Clark Craft or Glen-L Designs as well

Bill

Check out the boat builder forum section on Texas Kayak Fisherman
    http://www.texaskayakfisherman.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=71&t=205384
  here's a link to a strip plank boat one guy built.

    Strip plank will allow you to bend / shape the design.  something you can't do with a stitch and glue plywood models.
    Wish I had time, I'd love to build one again.

Thanks for all the great info and web site guys. After searching through all the different sites I think I might go with the kit from Jem Watercraft their Sabolo 12 ft model. Start with that basic kit and modify to my liking. Since I have so much experience with resin work the build shouldn't be to bad I think. I'm kinda excited to see how it goes. Thanks again for all the input.

I was trolling around their site last night.  They look to have some nice looking kayak plans.  Tempting to do one this winter too.

They did seem to have some pretty nice plans to start with. If ever want to check out the process when I get going on it I'll be building it in Watsonville where I work. Your welcome to come by.

I'd be interested in seeing that as it comes together.  I too work in Watsonville.

I'm most of the way through doing a touring kayak using the common stitch and glue method. I've thought of doing a SOT eventually and making myself a custom fishing yak to eventually replace the Captiva that I'm using now. There are lots of plans available on the market and full kits as well.

I decided to forgo the cost used the free plans for the siskiwit and used some of the angles from their strip design to make my own. It's coming along nicely. I could post up pics if you want.

I'd encourage you to give it a try if you aren't putting too much $$$ on the line for it. I feel fiberglass is very forgiving for little gaps and mistakes along the way. It's a ton of fun to build a kayak from scratch. I'm using repurposed plywood and got a bag of fiberglass cloth I got off of craigslist. The whole yak will probably come together for less than $100.

It's a lot of little detail work, but it is as easy as it sounds. Get the proper pieces cut, connect them, glass it. No real fancy tools needed. I did mine with an inkjet printer, a pen, a jigsaw and a cordless drill. I'm not concerning myself with flawless wood grain on this first one. Just going to paint it once it's finished. Figure I can cut my sanding time in half that way.

Good luck!

Comeon guys!! Pictures or it didn't happen!! 

Here's most of the process so far.



Went through most of an ink cartridge on my printer putting out the patterns.



Cut the patterns out, then traced out the first 6 strakes. Cut them out with a jigsaw.



scarfed the strakes together using an angle grinder with a sanding disk and some Titebond III wood glue.



Drilled holes 3 inches apart the length of where the seams will be.



Stitched the strakes together.



Starting to get a hull.



I've got all but the last two strakes cut. I've glassed most of the inside and removed the stitching on the base. This project creeps along as I do it in my spare time - which has lately been spent fishing more than on this, but after the new year, I'll have more time to work on it.