Been reading on how to use the internal studs to mount the CLC footbrace I got for my Guillemont kayak. Lots of good info. Just have a simple question. The studs are attached to the hull AFTER the inside of the hull has been fiberglassed. Is that correct?
Lou
That’s how I’ve done it. And it’s easier to do it before attaching the deck. Also, Nick shows doing both at the same time and I tried that on my latest build. However, I had a much easier time on my previous project doing one side at a time with the hull on its side.
And finally, if you have a curvy build like the Little Auk 10 I’m building, the studs will be at odd angles to each other due to the curve. I made sure the bottoms were at the right separation and gently (!) bent the studs afterwards to get them parallel.
If you have not already bought a set let me send you a free set that I bought and never used
Here’s a link to my WD12 build blog from 2009. The linked page show how I installed the footbrace mounting studs. It was a perfect fit, the correct angle, both sets mounted at once and no bending needed. Best of all, it was easy. The braces are used to correctly align the studs during assembly so there’s no need for fussy measurements and they’re guaranteed to fit. If the hull does change shape during deck attachment, all that is needed is a hairline enlargement of the mounting holes, something that is done outside the boat, not in the confined underdeck space. It’s been 17 years and the studs are still solid. I’ve used this method on every kayak I’ve built and never had any problems.
Laszlo
Dave,
Thanks for the kind offer, but I did buy them.
Lou
Laszlo,
I did see your write up when I researched this topic. Glad to see you are still helping newbies 17 years later. Hope I return the favor in the year 2033! I might have more questions when I actually start the assembly process in a couple of days, but it looks fairly straight forward.
Lou
