My first ever kayak project took a disappointing turn when I found out that I didn't have an intuition for boat stability. At first I was upset about having fallen into a partially frozen lake, but after a few weeks I decided to move on and fix my mistakes. After modifying the kayak, I decided to build another one using the lessons I learned.
Between spring and fall of 2020, I started building 4 more kayaks and finished 3 of them. This post isn't so much about the kayaks themselves, but how I approach designing and building.
Model 2:
I wanted to be able to keep the kayak in my car or small apartment at all times, so I started looking at folding and sectional kayaks. I decided to try building a sectional kayak like this one.
When I started this build I had a good idea of what mistakes to avoid, so the build started out pretty well. I was able to put the frame together in a few days.
The sealed bulkheads right behind the coaming would be where the boat split apart to be carried easily. I could then take the 6' and 4.5' sections and keep them in my car during paddling season and drive out to the lake after work. Sadly, this didn't work: the stringers were just too weak near the bulkheads and the frame broke apart the first time I tried splitting it. What was left of the frame ended up in a fire pit.
Model 2 rev. 2:
This is the same hull shape, but I got rid of the bulkheads and focused on making the kayak light. I would keep the boat in my storage unit or on top of my car until I found a better solution.
The yellow kayak in some of the photos is a British-made 17' sea kayak that I was restoring around the same time. It is as great as it is heavy.
The build was uneventful and I finished the whole thing in 2 weeks. After that I spent the summer paddling around Cleveland and rigorously testing the build technique.
I even managed to bring it up inside my tiny 3rd floor apartment, but it took up most of the space in my "living room". Luckily my friend had some spare room in her workshop so this kayak got to hang out with her much cooler canoe.
Model 3:
After I finally got a shop, I designed and built another kayak using what I learned from the few previous ones. It turned out even lighter and more awesome. You can see Model 2 in the background in some of the photos.
This kayak has been on quite a few paddles in Ohio and Pennsylvania and I'm quite fond of it.
