On these crisp Sydney winter mornings the sun is a welcome early visitor to the workshop.
Re-checking the overall alignment and securing the end stations firmly.
The kayak book and scale model are consulted to confirm our approach to laying the hull strips.
By mid-morning the first batch of epoxy-bonded scarf joints were released from their overnight bed press and inspected. Even though it had been a cold night the scarfed joints had all cured well in their tightly clamped jacket.
Each wood strip is coded by row and number in a methodical process of scarf forming, test-fitting, glue application and bonding with its mate.
The remainder of the morning was a focussed meditation of bonding and pressing a second batch of scarf jointed wood strips. Building up a stockpile of these long strips is a necessary process that will make the laying process more efficient.
The larger section wood strips that were completed yesterday are now introduced to their future role as the kayak's hard chines. These strips will be planed back to a thinner sectional depth in the process of shaping the chines.
At both ends of the kayak these deep section strips are severed with the Japanese saw.
Ian adopting a Japanese Zen carpenter's strike position.
We are on the way now.
