You're Invited

The official launch is scheduled for March 15, 2009 at 12:00 noon (hopefully on beach at Belle Isle)(weather/ice situation permitting). Check back here for last minute updates. We will have hot dogs and beer (PBR is the kayak christening beverage of choice.) RSVP to me or Rick or by e-mail to detroitkayaklaw@gmail.com. I am on my way to Costa Rica. No updates 'til March 10. Check back then.



Here are some pictures of kayaking in Costa Rica from my trip in December 2007.
That's me in the bottom one.

Beware the Ides of March

Because of our vacation schedules, we have settled on March 15, 2009 for the official launch of the boat likely to be christened "Ka-Bar's Fury." Mike R has suggested "Chirrois on the River" but that hits too close to home.



In the meantime, I have been working on carving greenland paddles out of cedar 2x4s. Hopefully by 3/15 I'll have a nice one done.

It Floats

After attaching the front pad eye and tying on a rope handle on the stern yesterday, today we took the boat (Ka-Bar's Fury is definitely the front runner in the naming contest) to the pool this morning. She seems to handle pretty well and definitely floats right-side up. Jan even proved that she will roll in the right hands. (My attempt failed.)

For those of you wondering about getting her out of the house, she went straight out the front window as the back door is still locked without a key. This may actually have been easier, or at least shorter, than going out the back, through the snow and the gate to the car.

Done (?)

Two hours of work today redrilling the holes, fitting the webbing for the hatch straps and bungies and rigging the bungies. It still needs a rope handle on the stern and the pad eye on the bow and it will be ready to take out of the living room. No pictures until the formal unveilling at halftime on Sunday.

Total Construction Time: 69 hours.

Almost Done

While this boat will surely always be a work in progress, it seems like the major construction work is almost done. Last night when we flipped it over, we decided to put another (6th) coat of varnish on the deck. About 1/2 hour of work. Then tonight we began the process of outfitting and rigging her. First we installed the foot braces. Then the back band. The next step was to drill holes where the bungies and hatch straps will attach to the deck. The holes were drilled larger than the screws in order to fill them with epoxy and redrill holes for screws. This is to keep water from reaching the wood in the holes. After that came the nerve-wracking drilling of a hole through the stern for a carry handle. We decided to attach a padeye at the bow (still need to find one), so no hole through the bow. Finally, we filled the holes with epoxy. About 2.5 hours of work.

One more session should have her ready to hit the water. We will need to see a substantial warming trend before we can take her outside, but I think the pool on Sunday should be a go.

Then of course the unveiling at Super Bowl party at Rick's.

Total Construction Time: 67 hours.

Last Varnish (?)

Tuesday night we put the fifth coat of varnish on the underside of the boat. While it will probably require some touching up, this will be the last full coating. .5 hours of work. What remains to be done is the deck rigging, carry handles and cockpit outfitting. While I am sure that it will always be a work in progress, it is looking good for a test float this weekend.



On the naming front, Martha's submission "Wandering Rage" (courtesy of a pirate ship name generator) has emerged as the front runner in keeping with Rick's pirate theme for the boat.



Total construction Time: 64 hours.

Fifth and Final Coat of Varnish/Another Call for Names

Tonight we did a final wet sand of the boat, first with 320 grit, then 400 and finally 600. We spent the extra time of the sanding because we hope the fifth coat of varnish will be the last. Then after wipe downs with water and laquer thinner, we put a fifth coat of varnish on the deck. About 1.5 hours of work.









The earlier call for names (link here) has not resulted in any submissions, so I again ask if anyone has any suggestions. I think Old Weller is also a good choice as I found a bottle in the back of Rick's cabinet when the Buffalo Trace ran out one night. Hmm, Buffalo Trace is a good name too. Any way, we need a name, so we welcome submissions and the winning entry will be rewarded and possibly announced this Sunday at the unveiling/Super Bowl party. Don't forget to RSVP.


Total Construction Time: 63.5hours.