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If the outside rubrails are structurally not important, why do the plans call for it and why doe everyone here suggest putting on them early, i.e. before flipping the boat over and attaching the bottom? Plus the boat would look stupid without outside rubrails...you sure you didn't mean the...

The idea behind this gadget is pretty cool, until you get to the price. Anyway, don't know if this one has been discussed here before, but check out this little beauty... http://www.foilkayak.com/videos/

First Sea Trial Well, we lugged the thing down to the pond and took it out for a cruise. I say 'lugged' because it is rather heavy - I had hoped to make it light enough for the boys to single handle it to the water but it's a little too weighty for that. My fault entirely -- could have...

If you ordered the Raka kit, it's straight-up fiberglass-- fibres spun from the same stuff they serve strong, finely-hopped ale in... From my extremely-limited experience with this stuff, all I can say is take your time getting all the drip lines off before you lay the glass. I didn't, and it...

Thanks for your kind words guys. Mick, the boat is 14'10" (4.52m), mainly because I screwed up my first scarf joint and had to cut back and start over. I used the 4th rib to make it more stable. The sides are about 10 1/12" (26 2/3 cm); the 10" called for in the plan plus I mounted the rails...

It's glassed inside and out...

Good question...one thing my kids and I did notice was that it got heavier and heavier with each coat of epoxy. "Conservation of Mass" law according to my know-it-all son :wink: I'll try to get an accurate measurement. My guess is that it's heavier than most of the ones you guys build. I...

Almost done! The bottom was graphited last weekend and now I'm just waiting a few more days before testing it in the lake: I will be adding carrying handles soon. The hounds got a hold of them yesterday before I could epoxy them in, turning them into fetch and chew toys. Back to the...

Mick, it is a work of art. There is something completely satisfying about taking a bunch of old, nearly-discared "scrap wood" and creating what you did. Nice job, and an inspiration to all...

I bought a vinyl boat decal that I want to put on the pirogue. The boat has its final coat of epoxy on it but has not been varnished. Do I wait until the last coat of varnish to put the decal on, or do I put it on now and "varnish it in"? Sorry, never messed with these things before but saw some...

Mick, did you travel around with an orangutan (think Clint Eastwood)during your bareknucle days? :wink:

I finally built a garage last fall. It's not huge, but I gave my wife the upstairs for storage and I got to keep the downstairs for a shop/gym/boatyard. Mick, you a boxer? A long passed fine art these days. The kids here all watch UFC and consider boxing something like pro wrestling...

Well, finally got the darn thing sanded. Put the inner rails on today...

Yes Master, I am slowly learning what evreyone else who knows what they're doing has said about epoxy. My Mom always used to say, "Lessons in life are repeated until learned..." Sanding epoxy is a slow process but a good excuse to drink beer :D

If you're talking about the inch or so of wood on the bottom that overhangs the side... if you have a router, use a flush trim bit to cut off the excess. You can then use a roundover bit or your sander to smooth the bottom piece to the side.

Mick and Slammer, thanks for the advice. I wish I read through the whole thread before I started working on it today, but I cut and pasted all the good advice for my next project (the rowing shell for my wife). I sanded the inside and started glassing it right about the time my oldest came...

Jack, thanks for clearing this up (pun intended).

Okey doke. I got the outer shell glass on along with a couple of coats of epoxy. I sanded it down pretty smooth (at least to the touch), then added a third coat of epoxy. It looks like dung! You can see every little streak and bump which wasn't apparent after I cleaned it off from sanding. I did...

I'm right at the same stage VTFogg is with his. Got my bottom on yesterday -- glued/screwed it to the ribs and sides with about 1/2" overlap all around. I stuck a flush trim bit in my router, then cut all around the outside. Voila! a nice fitting bottom piece. I then took an 1/8" roundover bit...

Well, got the bottom pieces scarfed together today and started some light sanding of the sides. The scarf joints get easier each time :-) Mouse, I hear ya about the plastic tubs, but they were just for effect; they look like stupid (albeit expensive) little toys next to a handcrafted boat...