Enterprise Build

WestCoastPaddler · Post by **WestCoastPaddler** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 2:44 pm

Hi all,

I'm just beginning a new kayak project of a Bear Mountain Enterprise. I'll be documenting the build process as I progress through it. The online journal (which has already been started) can be found on my website at this link:

http://www.westcoastpaddler.com/buildin ... p?album=15

I'll be constructing the kayak using the method specified in the book Kayaks You Can Build by Ted Moore and Greg Rossel.

This is my third stitch and glue kayak and I'm very much looking forward to the build.

If anyone has any questions or comments about my progress or the build itself, you can post them on the westcoastpaddler.com website in our forum section in this discussion or on this dicussion board (I'll check in here daily and do my best to answer any questions).

Glen Smith · Post by **Glen Smith** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 4:33 pm

Hi Dan, I checked out your posting on your website and I must say that I am looking forward to reading your reports.

pawistik · Post by **pawistik** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 12:15 am

Dan, that looks like a very nice shop set up you have there. Looking forward to following your progress.
Cheers,
Bryan

Bryan Hansel · Post by **Bryan Hansel** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 5:30 pm

I'm looking forward to this.

Robbie · Post by **Robbie** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 9:17 pm

Hi WCP.
If ya can. Could you also post the cost?
Thanks Robbie.

WestCoastPaddler · Post by **WestCoastPaddler** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 11:20 am

Robbie, you can get costs of the kits from this website. As far as other costs go, I'll tally up all of my receipts when I finish the job and post them (even though your costs for certain items may be more or less than what I pay for them).

I've got one more set of panels to glue together later this afternoon. I'm pretty impressed with the scarf method used to join the panels -- not only does it look nice, it also lends itself to far fewer alignment errors.

WestCoastPaddler · Post by **WestCoastPaddler** » Wed Oct 24, 2007 6:56 pm

I've now got all the forms set up and am ready to begin placing the planks.

One thing that I've done that is not in the manual was to router the hard ninety degree inside edges of the bow and stern stems. I did this to eliminate any hard edges that might cause wear on gear that is stowed in the hatches. I'll be making allowances throughout the build to ensure that the inside fo the boat does not have any sharp edges at all.

While not the greatest photo to show it, the edges are rounded on the inside of the stems:

pawistik · Post by **pawistik** » Thu Oct 25, 2007 11:53 am

Very interesting Dan. I didn't realize how much the Bear Mountain process for S&G differs from the CLC method as described in "The New Kayak Shop".

Cheers,
Bryan

WestCoastPaddler · Post by **WestCoastPaddler** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 10:05 am

pawistik wrote: I didn't realize how much the Bear Mountain process for S&G differs from the CLC method as described in "The New Kayak Shop".

Bryan, I'm unfamiliar with the CLC method so I can't comment on any differences.

pawistik · Post by **pawistik** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 11:25 am

WestCoastPaddler wrote:Bryan, I'm unfamiliar with the CLC method so I can't comment on any differences.

I have built one kayak from the plans in "The New Kayak Shop", though I should point out it was 1:12 scale! You can see my Chesepeake 17", alongside my rendition of a 1:12 Redbird here. The method from that book does not use forms nor the platform/strongback like you have depicted above. Rather, the panels are stitched together, then spread using a stick & bulkheads. The method is illustrated in summary here.
Cheers,
Bryan

WestCoastPaddler · Post by **WestCoastPaddler** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 12:59 am

Bryan, thanks for the link. It's interesting to see/read about other methods of building. I am however, quite pleased with the strongback method used here -- it's going to ensure that the shape of the boat is extremely close to what the designer intended. From past experiences, I've found that there can be a fair bit of variance with other methods (although I haven't heard anyone complain that their boat didn't paddle well, which goes to show you that there is a bit of tolerance in S&G boats).

I am also very impressed with the removable tape method used when joining the planks -- it nearly totally eliminates any cleanup and the job is a whole lot less messy.

This photo shows the removable tape on the planks (and after applying the thickened epoxy):

Clean planks after removing the tape:

WestCoastPaddler · Post by **WestCoastPaddler** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 7:31 pm

All the hull panels are now attached. Next, I'll tighten the sutures and then glue everything in place before sanding.

More photos can be seen on my build journal:

http://www.westcoastpaddler.com/buildin ... =15&page=2

Glen Smith · Post by **Glen Smith** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 9:01 pm

Looking very good so far Dan, keep 'em coming.

WestCoastPaddler · Post by **WestCoastPaddler** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 11:24 am

Steam bent the bow and stern stems last night:

WestCoastPaddler · Post by **WestCoastPaddler** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 10:28 am

The bow stem is now installed: