5/29/2020
It floats! Love it! Getting in was a big of a challenge, but once in it felt great! What a fun project 🙂
5/16/2020
It took longer than expected, but it’s finally done! Can’t wait to go out on the water. 🙂
5/9/2020
After a long break finally completed the urethane coating on the skin – getting closer!
3/19/2020
Completed sewing up the deck, adding the combing, and shrinking the skin. Excited to get it done and get out on the water!
3/13/2020
Skinned and tightened covering completed.
3/12/2020
Frame complete!
3/5/2020
Completed adding on the stringers. I hope it will float!
3/2/2020
Finished steaming the ribs, now it’s really looking like a kayak – extremely excited!
2/27/2020
Ribs are ready to be steamed!
2/26/2020
Over the past few days I’ve finished a few more items. Those steps include kerfing, lashing, and pegging the ends of the boat, as well as completing the mortise and tenon joinery for the 6 deck beams.
2/22/2020
Its taking shape, so excited!!!
2/21/2020
Completed some work on the keel and stringers today, also prepped the ribs that will be steamed to shape. Progressing!
2/20/2020
Completed the laminated deck beams today. Unfortunately two broke during insertion into the jig, so had to visit the lumber yard for some red cedar that was then cut down to make more. The garage is quite a mess now, luckily my wife is patiently waiting to park in the garage for a few days! 🙂
2/19/2020
OK, work shop upgrades done, back to building! I’ve finished using the plunge router to create my mortises. It’s now time to “Focus on the Boat“, per instructions from one of my work team members! 🙂
10/22/2019
Tools are out and prep-work has begun! A few of the steam box parts did not fit correctly, so it provided me a perfect opportunity to try out the Japanese razor saw I bought on a recent trip to Japan. This Japanese razor saw is really amazing, having the right tools for the job always makes the work more fun! The saw cut the wood like butter, and is the resulting face is completely planer. Also making a few alterations to the dowel that is used to lift up the ribs in the steam box. I also learned another lesson, no putting drinks down on my work surfaces! I ended up christening the inside of my steam box with a bit with my favorite beverage. 🙂
10/19/2019
Finished my retractable workspace counter last night. It’s not very good looking, but it will suffice for the winter!
10/16/2019
Feels like Christmas morning as I sat in the garage late last night in my pajamas and opened some new tools! 🙂 Can’t wait to learn how to use each of them. Also, my rope and pulley system for the kayak workspace is also proceeding, but I need another trip to the hardware store to get a few items. I should be able to finally start some “real” work this weekend!
10/13/2019
My first post… I actually can’t say I’ve started actually building yet, but I have started the entire process! 🙂
I’ve loved getting an intro by watching all the online videos. It looks amazing what can be done and created using this video course. I couldn’t be more excited!
Here is where I am in the process so far:
- I’ve purchased the F1 plans the course and sourced a local professional boat builder, John, to prepare me a “kit” per the very nicely formatted cut list and associated diagrams
- The wood looks great, John did an amazing job! As a fellow boat builder, he included some “scraps” of wood that has historical significance – how cool is that!
- I’ve purchased the preformed coming and small parts kit from Brian, as well as a set of nicely cut ribs
- I have ambitions of building a skin-on-frame canoe also soon, so in anticipation of that I had my rib box ordered to John a bit longer than the plans require.
- I’ve purchased most of the tools and equipment I need to start building, with the big ticket items being the following:
- Dewalt 2.25 HP plunge router
- Drywall steamer
- Bosche 7A jig saw
- Bosche hand planer
Next I’ll be working on preparing my work surface. For my work space, I will have it so I can lift my 14′ 2×8 board to the ceiling when not in use via pulleys and ropes. Most of my work will be done when the car is outside the garage. As I’m in no rush on this project, I’d plan to do it at my pace, whatever that may be, which may come in spurts as I also tend to work harder when more stressed from work, or during the rainy winter here in Seattle!
Cheers!
Greg
October 14, 2019
That is good starting project.
February 27, 2020
With the gunwales and deck beams it starts to look like a kayak. It gets more rewarding from here on out.
March 5, 2020
Wow this is amazing, I love following your progress this is very inspiring.
Keep it up!!!
You got this Greg, glad to see you are focusing on the boat 🙂
February 11, 2022
I am considering custom ordering an F!, but would like to feel for myself what it’s like beforehand. Would you consider getting together so i could do a short paddle? Want to test the stability, turning, comfort, ease of getting in and out, speed. I live nearby in Bellevue and would love to see your boat.