My days are going something like this.
- Up around 7:30.
- Breakfast then check the emails.
- Plan the day.
- (usually) head off on the bike to visit a timber merchant or Bunnings or something.
- Back and check the emails again. By now it is early afternoon.
- Start would on the kayak in earnest.
- Dinner around 5:30
- Do a couple more hours after dinner.
- Check the emails.
- Write the blog. :-)
I know you didn't need to know that but quite frankly I have to explain why I don't start construction earlier in the day.... and I cant because that Bunnings is beckoning. Sick I know but there it is.
Today I went to Para Rubber and picked up a kayak seat, actually one of those rubber dufers that people kneel on when doing the garden. Also bought some closed cell foam for the coaming and as cockpit protection.
Then I checked out Ceder at Placemakers... they have what I need for the paddle.
Then to Bunnings for screws and glue.
Then to a marine shop to check out a hatch cover for making a forward compartment. Danged expensive and I had second thoughts. My third thoughts will be to buy it but I will also look around at alternatives first.
Did the last of the significant finishing bits needed, prior to skinning, like adding the stern pieces, gluing down the top rear stringers, inserting some flooring in the compartment behind the cockpit to hold a tent and things and other minor things. The only thing I haven't built is foot rests. Currently I don't need them as my feet rest against the 3rd profile but... well... I will add them later if I need to.
Glued up two parts of the coaming base. I have a nagging feeling that I should not have done this but I can not see why they need to be separate. I guess I will find out one day. Of course I did not have enough clamps. All the web sites say "get enough clamps" and "you can never have enough clamps". It is possible that they are right but I survived with two G clamps, one monster G clamp, a set of vice grips and about four 300mm electrical ties. The ties worked really well, in this instance. See the photos.
Now the kayak is inside resting on the dining room table. Fortunately I am batching for a couple of days as I am not sure that Mary could cope with this boat consuming all of the dining room and part of the lounge.
Finished up the stern piece.
Made this thingie up to support the front of the coaming. It will also act as a stable platform for an eventual marine compass.
The coaming shown supported by the thingie.
Glued up the coaming base plates. Note the use of ties. Worked a treat.
Last look at her before she gets skinned.
One more last look.
And in through the windows she goes.
Don't show this to Mary.
And on to the dinning table
If it was only this easy. The forecast is for rain over the weekend so I guess that i will have nothing else to do but stitch. This will be a riot.
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