Lisa’s F1 and West Greenland Build, Hannibal, Missouri

Hi, my name is Lisa. I am a potter, artist and high school art teacher, originally from St. Louis, MO.

While I have some wood working skills, I am still very much a novice. Brian’s excellent instructions have made the process possible, even for a novice.

My builds have tended to stretch over months due to the fact that I have only been able to snatch snippets of time to work.

Finding good quality red cedar has been difficult. For these kayaks, I did manage to find enough from a home improvement store and a lumbar carrier in St. Louis.

I am loving the building process. The sights, sounds, textures, smells, and tactile experiences are part of the enjoyment of the build. For me, it is a meditation and a vehicle for intimacy with kayaking, the river and the natural world. In the fall of 2018 I had the opportunity to attend a wedding in Bellingham, Washington and enjoyed meeting my wood source…live Western Red Ceder trees. Their photo hangs in my work space.

I am grateful that Brian has shared his knowledge and experience in videos, which has provided an enrichment to my life that I would have otherwise not been able to access.

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Update 6/16/2018

This week I have set up for and cut my mortises. For me, setting up is what takes 75% of my time. My second kayak should definitely go faster.

Rib Mortises

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Update 6/28/2018

Before a trip out of town I laminated the deck beams. It’s easy to get into production mode. I had the second deck beam glued and in place on the jug when I remembered that I only own 12 clamps. After a very quick trip to the store I got the second beam clamped.

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Update 7/2/2018

After borrowing table saws from friends, I finally bought one off of Craigslist. The seller was super nice and very fair. This good old crafsman will help me cut the rest of my materials at my leisure.

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Update 7/9/2018

Finished 25 degree router jig, finished my deck mortises, formed the gunwales, and have begun my deck beam tenons.

deck beam #1 tenon. Brian’s system for cutting tenons is very user friendly. I have never done tenons before, but this first one doesn’t look too bad.

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Update 7/10/2018

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Update 7/14/2018

Update 7/15/2018

Bow and Stern stems are stitched on. Very pleased and amazed how well the kayak is progressing. I have 2 weeks of other commitments, so this is my stopping place for a while.

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Update 8/11/2018

The frame is completed. I had to retie the some of the lashing on the bow and stern stems, but I just oiled the frame today. The only thing left is to skin the boat and add the rigging. I have my skinning kit, but will have to wait a month or so, due to the start of school and several weekend commitments.

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Update: 9/24/18

Skinning the kayak

Kayak is still wet from being sprayed and ironed. As the kayak dried the remaining wrinkles disappeared.

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Update 9/30/2018

I coated the kayak today. This process was not difficult…intense, but not difficult. My problem is that you don’t get a “do over”. Now that I have a feel for the process the next kayak should look better. I do have some heavy application cloudiness along the seam of the deck. Fortunately I left the kayak white, so it isn’t a glaring visual issue.

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Update 10/6/18

All but a few pieces of rigging are completed.  Took her out today for the first paddle on a small local lake.  I didn’t experience any leaks, and she paddled beautifully. The quietest kayak I own.

Can’t wait to start the West Greenland next. My goal is to complete that one by spring and warmer waters.

I want to thank Brian Schulz for making his knowledge accessible across the miles. I chose his kayak system in part because I didn’t have to drive for days from Hannibal, MO to a coastal location for a class, AND I was impressed with his ability to teach. I was not disappointed!  I’m a fan of Cape Falcon for life!

Now, on to the next kayak and back to the intoxicating aroma of cedar in my garage.

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Update 11/11/18

Began the West Greenland build this week with the first snow of the season and a 14 degree low.

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Update: 11/26/18

Finished the building the deck of the W Greenland. Blizzard warnings yesterday created a snow day from school today, so I spent some time working.

Update 12/31/18

Christmas break gave me a bit of time to work on the West Greenland. Left to finish are the end plates, masik, foot board, and the deck stringers.

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Update 1/23/19

checking the slight curve of the stem plate against a straight edge.

I wanted to angle the masik forward a bit, but then got nervous about my ability to get in and out, so I lifted it back up again with a wedge of wood. I think it’s just right now.

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Update 1/26/19

Notched the masik for the deck stringers.  All that’s left is installing the foot brace and pegging the foredeck stringers.

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Update 3/30/19

Dye day

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Update 4/23/19

Couldn’t wait to try out the kayak even though the deck rigging isn’t in place yet.

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Update 9/1/19

Finally got the Greenland on the Mississippi river. New pics of the finished deck rigging. For the toggles, I used some deer antler pieces my dog found in the woods…a nice remembrance of her.