Mt. Pleasant Classical Academy

ScienceKid had decided to build a strip-built kayak and though this project is not complete he has already learned some valuable skills. The strips first went up the boat sides and then he met a new challenge. How to bend the strips so they would now run parallel to the ground?

He contemplated that for awhile and discovered a new friend.

Silver tape. Or duct tape. And do you know that Silence is golden but duct tape is silver. That’s what SK is often telling me.

I think by this point he has gone through 3 or maybe it is 6 rolls of tape.

Each strip gets glue on its edges before being placed. SK found early on that he could place one strip in place on either side but then you needed to give the glue time to dry before proceeding. 2 or maybe 4 strips per day was all that could be added. This is a time-consuming project!

Siver tape holds everything in its proper place while the glue dries.

Clamps, lots of clamps are needed too.

If you just happened by the shop while SK was working be ready! He is more than ready to discuss the ins and outs of kayak construction with you. Our neighbor is a gem and she loves the boys and really enjoys seeing what they are up to.

Another challenge SK had to solve was how to splice the wood pieces together near the bow and stern. He also had to figure out how to make lap joints between wood strips. The above photo shows both and I challenge you to find the wood joint. Hint it is 3 rows below the yellow clamp.

Finally the boat sides were starting to meet the keel.

This is where the fun began, the slicing sharp wood points so the joint would be tight, smooth, and look nice.

Through the fall SK would take an hour break from bookwork, go to the shop and lay in a strip or two.

Measure twice, cut once. Or is it cut twice and measure once?

LOOK, the boat bottom is complete!

Isn’t it beautiful!!

SK next has the boat’s top, and the fiberglassing step to complete. Oh, there’s probable a-half-dozen other steps I’m leaving out but that’s where he is at now. He is hoping to have the boat in the water this summer. I’ll let ya know!