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The journey ...

This web documentary records the process of designing and constructing a sea kayak using the wood strip method.



The design process and the selection of locally sourced materials has been informed by the intention of making a vessel that will possess a strong sense of place. It is intended that this kayak will engage meaningfully and harmoniously with the land and seascapes of Australia's east coast.



The principle materials of construction are Australian Red Cedar, Huon Pine, Spotted Gum, Humpback Whale bone, Sydney Turban shell, carbon fibre, kevlar and two pack resin.





The images and text below trace the journey ...











Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Episode 38 - Cutting out the cockpit opening

At various stages in this journey there are design decisions that need to be made that will affect the kayak's performance. One of these points was reached this evening in committing to a particular size and shape for the cockpit entry portal. There are a range of approaches available from the tight ocean style of portal to the key hole and open mouthed portals. I have chosen to maintain a generous opening to facilitate entry / exit and general maneuverability.


I drew up three slightly different sized templates for the cockpit entry and compared them with the cockpit portal on my old fibreglass Greenlander. I tried entering and exiting each of these paper templates. You can see that I tore the second template - it was too narrow for me.

Having established the template with the best fit I then used the cut out piece to trace the cockpit portal's shape onto the timber deck. I was very careful that the shape was accurately aligned with the deck's central axis.

And then an electric jigsaw made quick work of cutting out the portal.
This portal will subsequently be augmented with a carbon fibre coaming lip and integrated thigh braces.
Posted by Eastern Horizon