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DIY Foam Kayak Build

^^^^^ if I decide to build instead of buy, of course.


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IkemanTX said:
^^^^^ if I decide to build instead of buy, of course.


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Click to expand...

Ahhh didn’t know that. Might be tough to pull off. The tracking channels no problems. Told my wife I am looking to get one. She told me “better build one then” . Thanks for the pics.


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Sheldon said:
Ahhh didn’t know that. Might be tough to pull off. The tracking channels no problems. Told my wife I am looking to get one. She told me “better build one then” . Thanks for the pics.


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Did you do 4” on the base of the kayak and 4” side walls? (Essentially a two layer bottom, and two layer sides?
Would working in 1” sheet increments have any benefit?


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Did a single layer for the bottom. Then 4 rib layers, so 10” total. Was concerned about the bottom, since I am a fatty, but no issues. Kicked around using 1” but would have cost more and basically twice as much gluing.

With me aboard there is still 5” + freeboard. Thinking if one added 2” thick tracking channels underneath similar to the nucanoe design, going up 4 rib layers might be over kill. Similar to the nite hawk fishing dude with his boat where parts of the hull barely hit the water due to all the foam underneath.

Going to try the channels on the boy’s boat and see what impact they have. Also tried building a bit of rocker into his when I glued it all together to see what effect that might have. Making his from stuff we scrounged so nothing lost if we don’t get the results we want.




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Finished the boy’s boat. Had a great time learning to paddle. Only one spill on accident then of course one on purpose.
c9662b73c813f182f1df17c6ae1bf116.jpg



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Awesome. What paint are you using? I used rubber roofing paint on my boats that seemed to hold up well


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ImThere said:
Awesome. What paint are you using? I used rubber roofing paint on my boats that seemed to hold up well


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This is standard exterior house paint on top of cotton sheets glued to the foam. Seems like 3 - 4 coats and it seals well, had a leak from a gap when I glued the foam together. When we tested it you could see the water coming in. Following the fabric and paint all is dry.
 
Sheldon said:
This is standard exterior house paint on top of cotton sheets glued to the foam. Seems like 3 - 4 coats and it seals well, had a leak from a gap when I glued the foam together. When we tested it you could see the water coming in. Following the fabric and paint all is dry.
Click to expand...

Did you stick with a smooth bottom, or did you do runners for tracking?


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IkemanTX said:
Did you stick with a smooth bottom, or did you do runners for tracking?


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We put the runners on it. Made it out of foams remnants given to us so the bottom isn’t as wide as I would have liked. Was very unstable when we first tested it, the runners seem to help. He gets along well with it after understanding it’s kinda like riding his bike in terms of balancing. My wife now wants one, after calling them toy boats, was looking at the nucanoe F10. Looking to use that as a basis and build one at 39” with runners to see how it works.


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IkemanTX said:
Did you stick with a smooth bottom, or did you do runners for tracking?


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9567fbb5984e235e56ef980990a5ad4f.jpg


Excuse the mess. Weathers been horrible and need to clean up. Could get the fabric smoother if you are more patient than I am. Tough on sharp angles. Once all the glue and paint dry surprisingly strong.



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Any updates on the yaks?
I have to make up my mind in the next couple weeks wether I’m going to buy an Ascend 10T or build a foam yak.


................................................................................All climbing methods, platforms, saddle designs, and/or use of materials possibly mentioned in the post above are not peer reviewed for safety, and should only be used as an example of my own method. Do your own research and testing before becoming confident in any DIY solution to support your life.
-IkemanTx
 
Man I've been looking for a cheap kayak or canoe to fish and hunt from some and I'm really tempted to try this... I'm a cheapskate and love to build my own stuff so this is right up my alley.
 
IkemanTX said:
Any updates on the yaks?
I have to make up my mind in the next couple weeks wether I’m going to buy an Ascend 10T or build a foam yak.


................................................................................All climbing methods, platforms, saddle designs, and/or use of materials possibly mentioned in the post above are not peer reviewed for safety, and should only be used as an example of my own method. Do your own research and testing before becoming confident in any DIY solution to support your life.
-IkemanTx
Click to expand...

Used it a great deal and still floating. Taking out in the morning. Picked up a 10 john boat cheap and used that for awhile but decided to sell it and go back to this.

Did have an issue with the glue seam on the bottom where the bottom side ribs connect to the base. Removed the cloth in the cockpit and cut it along the outside. When I built it I used the construction adhesive in the tube and that joint popped. Think it was a case of my wife plopping down in the turkey seat and me totin’ and slinging it around by the side walls. Reglued it with gorilla glue this time and patched over the cuts on the sides and replaced the cloth in the cockpit. Holding solid now. Also pulled the turkey seat (the four small points of contact not a good idea) and replaced it with 2 1” x 4” that sit on top of the sides. Strapped a stadium seat to those and throw flotation cushions on it. Going to drill thru the boards and into the sides to “pin” it with some dowel rod to hold everything together. Works without them but think it will solidify everything as I removed the rear bulkhead to accommodate a milk crate setup. Now that I am used to it even sitting up that high it is stable and yet to take a spill.

Long story to say if you do this use GORILLA GLUE. Will take some pics in the morning.

Bottom line: I am comfortable with it and will likely build another...now that I have a better idea what I am doing. My wife wants me to “buy” something but plan on staying with this. Really not in a position to suggest one or the other. This works for me because I enjoy messing with it. The joint popping is the only problem I’ve had thou.





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