I got my kit delivered 2 weeks ago and have spent 4 days working on it. The kit is great, the directions are understandable and I have the hull stitched and ready to epoxy the interior tomorrow. I have started a blog(another new adventure for a 60 year old) covering the construction. I am having a great time and look forward to the finished product but I think the journey of building will be as mchh fun as the paddling. I am already thinking about boat number 2.
Blog address Rods Kayak Adventure http://rodskayakadventure.blogspot.com/
Rod Jenkins
You guys are going to have a blast. There'll be some difficulties, of course, but just remember that you're not alone and that you can always call the CLC support line or come back here to post any questions. And if you come up with any neat tricks, post them here to share with the gang.
What's even better than the construction, is that once you're done wit the fun of building, you're going to have one of the best (and best-looking) recreational kayaks out there. My WD12 has been a real joy to paddle and it's been my magic carpet taking me to hidden places that I'll remember for the rest of my life.
So have fun,
Laszlo
Thanks for the encouragement. I ask CLC when I ordered the boat about delivery time. They said approx 10 days and it was delivered in 9 days. I did get tracking info once it was shipped.
The biggest help so far has been the DVD "The Zen of Wooden Kayak Building" featuring John Harris of CLC. I got the video about 2 months ago and watched it 3 times before ordering the Wood Duck. Once I got the kit I have watched parts of the video 3 more times.
The CLC tech support line has been very helpful. Matt and Joey have helped clear up some the instructions. This builders forum has also been helpful.
Using BLOGSPOT.COM, building a blog was very easy. I added more pics to the blog last night. I have not figured out how to add pics to the builders forum. It looks fairly easy and I will be out of town this week, I 'll take my computer and figure out how to add some pics to this site.
Yes, I have made a couple of mistakes so far but no Viking funerals planned just yet. I beveled the wrong side of the first bottom panel. I was leaning towards painting the bottom and this just clinched the deal! A little epoxy and wood filler and paint no one will know but me!! I also put a little too much epoxy on the cockpit floor, my first experience with the glass and epoxy. I am glad that this will be under my creature comfort seat. I have some small bubbles(floated the glass a bit). I plan on light sanding and another coat of epoxy to fill the weave that is viewable in most of the cockpit. Any ideas to avoid this on the hull? I think I just need to be more patient and use less epoxy. In the beginnig it did not seem to soak into the cloth and I probably put on more epoxy before I gave the initial coat time to soak into the cloth.
So far so good, using Jimmy Buffett's, Build a Boat song to start the day in the shop has also been helpful!!
Rod
You have already learned that anything you do wrong can be fixed. You do need to cut back on the epoxy though. It’s expensive and heavy and adds no strength beyond the minimum needed. Try applying it with a thin foam roller. Now - what’s your next boat going to be? -Wes
Rod,
I have been watching your blog and you are doing a great job !!! Keep up the good work.
You are less than an hour away. Stop by any time. Michigan has some of the best kayak waters on the planet.
Wes is right, you need to start planing your next build.
Lou
Thanks Lou, Tugbruce and Wes for all the encouragement and ideas about the epoxy.
Lou, my schedule is pretty busy thru Thanksgiving. Maybe the week after Thanksgiving I could run up and see your Wood Duck and talk construction techniques?
I am off to Florida until Saturday and then hope to spend some time fixing my interior epoxy errors and get ready for glassing the outer hull. While in Florida I will try to figure out how ro post pictures on this forum.
I am already thinking about the next boat. One kayak seems pretty lonely. With adult children nearby and a 3month old Grandson I am thinking about a Wood Duck 10 to add to the family.
Rod
To Rod and anyone else building a hybrid kayak for the first time:
I built a wood duck 10 hybrid last winter and spring. Building the hull was challenging, but nothing compared to the cedar strip deck. There were times when I wanted to blow up the whole project. However, with patience and persererance, I finally finished.
I made lots of mistakes along the way, and parts of the deck (especially the sheer planks did not come out the way I wanted, which was upsetting.
But since I first launched in mid-April, I have had hundreds of compliments:
beautiful boat, sweet, very pretty, did you have it custom made, and on and on. I was even stopped by the police in a seatbelt check. I expected him to cite me for no front plate. Instead he said: nice kayak man.
And here's the cool part: nobody ever mentioned the flaws in my build that I found so offensive. Rather, it has been a real ego trip in addition to being a great boat!.
So, for those of you cursing the chall;enging deck build, keep the faith: it will be well worth your effort.
Rich