Kayak Cockpit and Fairing

After completing the stripping of the kayak hull and deck (here, here, here and here), it was time to think about the cockpit.

This kayak design incorporates a recessed coaming.  The coaming is the lip to which a spray skirt is attached. The spray skirt is something you wear and then attach to the kayak when you get in – it keep the water outside the boat.  The recessed coaming adds a bit of work but makes for a neater look and gives you a bit more room when paddeling.

It’s made using some thin plywood cut into odd shapes and then glued together. The result is the angled surround.

The hole in the boat is then slowly enlarged until a perfect fit is acheived.  Sadly, I blew it on the “perfect” part. But… I did manage to get it installed.

I’m making plenty of mistakes and doing some ham-fisted work – I keep telling myself “learning curve”. I must be getting better, right???

Next was shaping and fairing of the exterior.

I started by planing, then moved to a sanding board, and finally to an orbital sander.  That’s pretty boring stuff but sure took a lot of time and colories!!

After all that, I think she is looking mighty sexy!