I started the day with a little bit of skinboat science, basically using a hanging scale to determine the amount of outward force that was being exerted from one of my spreader forms, just to make sure that I’m not flying too close to the sun with the tension here. It’s a fine line...
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Expanding the sizing for the LPB
While I wait for strong winds to test the new sail set up, I’m starting on the long overdue project of expanding the sizing for my LPB kayak to the same level of detail as my F1 which comes in seven sizes for paddlers from 100-250lbs. The story of the LPB is one of...
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Testing the “Superlon” nylon from Skinboats.org
I’m taking one for the team here today and trying the new ‘Superlon’ nylon from skinboats.org. This is basically my job, figuring out what works and what doesn’t so my students can avoid the learning curve. There are a lot of really bad skinboat fabrics out there that the sellers will promise you works...
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On YouTube: Inside my skin on frame design process
We just posted a brand new video on the Cape Falcon Kayak YouTube channel with tons of great eye candy and a deep dive behind the scenes into my design process on the new flat deck sailing/catamaran kayaks. Check it out:...
On YouTube: Retrofitting a secondary stringer into a finished Greenland kayak to improve the stability
Here is an experiment I did to see if I could retrofit a secondary stringer into a finished Greenland kayak to improve the stability. Most historic Greenland kayaks had just a single hard chine, but occasionally you see a small secondary stringer above the main one. This adds a bit of extra volume to...
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New project! LPB kayak prep
New project! I’ve always done my router work outside due to the huge amounts of microfine cedar dust it produces. Its a bit rough in the winter time! Here I’m working late to finish a double LPB kayak prep before some nasty weather arrives. I’m bouncing back-and-forth between a lot of projects right now...
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In today’s episode of Brian gets an email and immediately has a panic attack…
In today’s episode of Brian gets an email and immediately has a panic attack, I found out that the foot braces we’ve been using for 15 years are being discontinued with no backstock to buy which has me scrambling to find an alternate solution. I’ve actually wanted to replace this brand for quite a...
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This frame is making me work really hard not to increase the weight or the complexity of the build
This frame is making me work really hard not to increase the weight or the complexity of the build. There’s just something magic about a 30 pound kayak, so I try to keep my base models in that range. That way if someone has to build one of these out of something heavier than...
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Time lapse: Steambending F1 ribs
Bent in the ribs today using some beautiful white oak from Zena Forest Products. FYI Theres groovy music here as usual. Although not shown in this video I added an extra rib at each end. The one in the bow was just because I was curious to see if it would work, and the...
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Building a sawn curved deck beam for the flat deck F1 prototype
I decided to use a sawn curved deck beam for the flat deck F1, mostly because I can’t think of any way to laminate that shape that I would feel comfortable putting in a plan set. (I am open to suggestions?) I made several of these and stood on them, comparing the deflection to...
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A flat decked F1?
So I have to be honest here and admit that something I was planning with my last two Greenland Kayaks was to add pop-up sails and catamaran system very similar to what I do with my canoes. I modified both frames to handle the forces but at the last minute I came to my...
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Today’s tool tip: Makita circular saw blades
Today’s tool tip: for the past 5 years I’ve been using these Diablo circular saw blades to slice up my bending oak to get the best possible yield on my kayak and canoe ribs. I’m currently using a lower-powered ‘craft’ table saw because my normal saw won’t fit in my current workspace. Cutting with...
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Taking offsets off an older prototype
One of the most frustrating things for me is when I come up with a kayak design that I can’t quite make work in skin on frame. An idea I’ve been working on for over 10 years is a medium volume, medium length crossover kayak for distance touring on high volume rivers with a...
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An attempt at ageing plastic toggles
Over the years I’ve found the toggle and leather deck line systems seen on many traditional kayaks to be far superior to shock cord. Objects on deck are held more securely (especially in surf) and any line on the boat can be used to lift, tow, or rescue. Like a lot of people I...
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Video: West Greenland Kayak Build Timelapse 9: Adding deck lines and seating
West Greenland Kayak Build Timelapse 9: adding deck lines and seating. Total build time on this kayak, about 44 hours. Rigging the deck lines is always my least favorite part of the kayak building process. I pull 3/8” wide English bridle leather straps through progressively smaller holes to stretch and round them, and then...
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