We are George Robert and Robert George Laking, building 2x F1 kayaks, starting in November 2021.
Phase I, 23 November 2021: we came to build kayaks, these are battleships (some pretty solid workbenches on castors). And the garage needs a tidy!

22 December 2021: Battleships complete! Garage is tidier, too. Also, received 2x kayak kits from Brian and Liz.

Western Red Cedar obtained from BBS Timber, Henderson, Auckland, NZ. It was an exciting drive back across town with this battering ram strapped to the roof of the vehicle. Smaller plan is in the front seat. That’s younger brother Julian in the photo.

Cross-sectional plan for ripping planks. In the New Year we’ll head down to the local community “Mens’ Shed” for time on their table saw. There’ll be about 17 cuts in here. Also hoping to squeeze out some 4 mm strips for laminates.

Happy New Year 2022! We are sweltering at 27 Celsius 50% humidity. Well it feels hot to me. We went to the local “Men’s Shed”, a community workshop mainly for seniors. It’s just down the road and they have all the big tools.

18 January 2022: Oops, 4th gunwale is from undressed side of timber.

28 January 2022 and good old Devonport Timber came through with this nifty piece of hardwood from their waste bin, I reckon we can use it to build the 25⁰ mortise jig … or not! It’s a little on the short side for safety with power tools. At least I can use it for the special sticks.

Update 27 March 2022. We’re back from a 3 week hiatus bikepacking tour in NZ’s South Island.















