Building a simple kayak

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timtune

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In the late 70's I built a kayak in high school. Still have it hanging the shed but it hurting pretty bad by now.

My son said he'd like to build a kayak with me and I thought building a couple of fresh ones based on my high school kayak would be pretty simple.
It was so basic and easy to build I thought finding plans for it would be easy. So far nada.

It has a curved top and bottom and the sides are just two strips of approx 1/2" x 5" pegged at each end and bowed out in the middle with a few simple bulkheads in between to support the top and bottom skin.

If push comes to shove I can scrap my old one in order to use it for patterns....but I'd rather not. Just wondering if anyone can help shed light on this.
 
Sounds like an awesome project with your kid. I look forward to having that with mine.

www.instructables.com

Building a Cedar Strip Kayak

Building a Cedar Strip Kayak: Sometimes I like to get on the water by myself and sometimes a canoe will suit me just fine. Other times the weather is not suitable for a canoe, too windy, too wavy or I just want to cruise the waterways a little more efficiently. A kayak can handl…
www.instructables.com www.instructables.com
 
Guillemot or green valley boat works will have plans.

Westriver 164?

noahsmarine.com

Westriver 164 Plans - Noah's Marine

The West River kayaks are strong fast touring boats for paddlers who prefer a multi-chine hull shape. They cruise easily and maintain speed with little effort. With their moderate rocker and fine sterns they resist weathercocking and track straight in all sea conditions. The West River 162 and...
noahsmarine.com noahsmarine.com
 
I designed and built a canoe as therapy from work. I've used it once and it is tender (Tippy). I'm actually getting rid of it if anyone wants it.

If you want to build, plans are out there. One I like is a lapstrake by Thomas Hill. The model I lean towards weighs 27 pounds. Ultralight boat building by Thomas J. Hill.

Boats With An Open Mind by Philip Bolger has a full range of boats, many stitch and glue. Most look hmmm "Quaint".

Bear Mountain Boats in Westport sells all the stuff needed for stripper canoes.

(The one I built has a stripper bottom and marine plywood sides.)

Noah's in south Mississauga is a good supplier.

noahsmarine.com

Noah's Marine

Noah's Marine Supply offers everything you need to build your own custom canoes, kayaks and boats. We carry marine plywood's, epoxy resin, fiberglass tape, paint, boat kits, tools and more at great prices. From plans to paint and all supplies in between, we have what you need to construct or...
noahsmarine.com noahsmarine.com

Tip: If you're going to build a boat, first buy a clamp factory.

One learns a lot from building things. If building multiples, fiberglass molding can be a learning experience if you like pungent odours. If your old kayak is straight it can be used as a plug or mold.

Alternately, wood epoxy introduces you to skin sensitizing resins.

Traditional construction brings new words to your vocabulary. Some quaint, some rude.
 
Thanks all.
I've seen many like the examples you give but none are a dead simple as my high school model.
 
You think your high school shop teacher is still around? Only fun thing I have from those shop days is a wooden fruit bowl and a wonky book shelf.
Yours is way better.
I think you are creative enough that you can copy it, and improve it with your son. What is the skin made of canvas or fiberglass?

Is there anything here worthwhile, or you and the kid have exhausted there?

www.paddlinglight.com

Free Kayak Plans and Free Canoe Plans

For years, PaddlingLight has been giving away the free drawings of historic and recent canoe and kayak, but I didn’t know how many plans people were downloading. In the last year I decided to start tracking just a few of the downloads to get a grasp on how many were actually being downloaded. I...
www.paddlinglight.com www.paddlinglight.com
 
Sunday Rider said:
You think your high school shop teacher is still around? Only fun thing I have from those shop days is a wooden fruit bowl and a wonky book shelf.
Yours is way better.
I think you are creative enough that you can copy it, and improve it with your son. What is the skin made of canvas or fiberglass?

Is there anything here worthwhile, or you and the kid have exhausted there?

www.paddlinglight.com

Free Kayak Plans and Free Canoe Plans

For years, PaddlingLight has been giving away the free drawings of historic and recent canoe and kayak, but I didn’t know how many plans people were downloading. In the last year I decided to start tracking just a few of the downloads to get a grasp on how many were actually being downloaded. I...
www.paddlinglight.com www.paddlinglight.com
Click to expand...
Thanks I'll check out.
 
Xhumeka said:
Not sure this is the specific one timtune is thinking of, but there's a plan for a kayak in this Popular Mechanics magazine (page 144):
Click to expand...
Close but mine was even simpler than that.
 
Skin on frame ( Inuit style ) is the fastest and least expensive to build . YouTube has a bunch of stuff . Chesapeake light craft are the plywood gurus , plans and kits . I’ve helped do a cedar strip frameless , beautiful to look at but not inexpensive.


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nobbie48 said:
I designed and built a canoe as therapy from work. I've used it once and it is tender (Tippy). I'm actually getting rid of it if anyone wants it.
Click to expand...
Post pics. I already have a cedar canoe I don't use enough so I'm not likely to be your buyer but I like looking at them
 
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