At least the ones I have photos of Editing Note- When I started building the Night Heron in 2014, I had no idea that I would do a blog about the experience. These posts are recalling the build from memory with a few photos. To recap, I took pictures while I was building the boat…
Kayak kit
Hitting the deck
Another change in stapling I would use is to make sure the staples are lined up. Many times, the staple would be slightly angled. This had the effect of making the staple line look a little wider. It’s a small detail but it’s all part of learning. If I had it do over again, I’d…
Setting up the frame…while building a boat
A hybrid-type kayak (two types of construction techniques) still use forms for the deck, they’re just set up a little differently. The Great Auk used a strong back with forms that shaped the complete boat. The Night Heron uses the hull to hold the forms. That’s why it was so critical to set the workspace…
Finishing the Hull
Once the hull forms were fastened firmly to the work surface and the hull was trued up, it was time to re-enforce the plywood joints. Using the recommended technique, I mixed a couple of ounces of marine epoxy then added wood flour to the epoxy. Wood flour is finely ground sawdust that is used to…
Starting the hull
The Night Heron hull is assembled using the stitch and glue technique. You literally stitch the pieces of the boat together using wire. The hull panels came pre-cut and also were pre-drilled for the wire to be thread through. I failed to get good pictures here, posting about building the boat had not even crossed…
Setting up the workspace and getting started with the hull
The Night Heron is formed a little different than most other kayak builds. Instead of using forms on a strongback, the Heron is started with forms sitting flat. This is kind of hard to explain but here goes. This is an example of the use of a strongback. It’s how the Great Auk is formed….
Pewaukee, we’ve got a problem!
I didn’t plan on doing any more posts about the boats. The stories has been told, embellished and generally classified as legends but alas there is apparently one more chapter to be chronicled. Our first paddling race/event of 2021 was in Pewaukee Wisconsin May 8th. An 8 1/2 mile paddle down the narrow and shallow…
Inner stemming the tide
Editors note: You will probably notice that this and future posts might contain a little less content. I found myself skipping steps while writing so I will try this format and see how it works out. It could mean a little more technical content, but should mean more posts, a quicker read and maybe even…
Setting up a frame, but this time it’s to build a boat
I ordered the complete Great Auk kit which shipped with the building frame (you can also order the kit without, for example if you are building a second boat). The strongback is the part of the building frame that runs the length of the boat and holds the forms in place. It needs to be…