Hi all- To answer a few common questions: (1) "Why paint over the beautiful wood?" There's a pretty simple reason. I had a color scheme/ pattern in mind when I designed the boat, and wanted to stick to it! This was also my first attempt at a wood-strip kayak build, and tbh there were a couple little spots in the woodwork that didn't make the video that I just wasn't proud of- likely not noticeable by most, but definitely for me :-p But don't worry- version 2 that I'm building now is certainly not going to be painted... got something even better in the works :-) (2) Dimensions? Length: 20 ft/ 6.1 m; Width 18.5 in/ 47 cm; Weight ~42 lbs/ 19 kg (3) Are the plans available? Not for this particular boat at the moment. I'm close to finishing up building a second version, spent a lot of time revising the design, smoothing out some of the lines, and refining the materials and workflow for the build. If I'm happy with the second version, the yes! I'll be making the plans for both V1 and V2 available. (Spoiler alert- of course I'm filming the build process! And- V2 is looking like it'll come out at about 2/3 the weight of V1...)
You did an awesome job on the woodwork for a first time. It looks much easier when Nick is doing it compared to doing it yourself. How do you find it compares to surf skis for stability and speed? I have a Think Zen and and am contemplating either buying a Think 6 or building a Guillemot Kayaks Mystery
@@bobododoo3925 longer boats are faster- to a point. Everything is a compromise though. Length = Faster but less nimble, narrow width = faster but less stable (which actually means slower if you are upside down).
I started watching the video without first reading the intro and after a few minutes I began to guess that you were under the influence of Nick Schade. The guy is a marvel at kayak building. And you learned well.
Excellent design and the video is pure ZEN to watch :-) I was terrified to see you left the forms inside, until I realized it was two separate shells :-D
This is awesome! I built a stitch and glue dinghy about 4 years ago. Your strip plank boat has a lot of extra steps that require more patience and thought. You nailed it! I like the colour scheme. I think you made the right choice by covering up the wood. I see in the comments that you are working on a Version 2. I am really hoping that you document that one in a similar fashion to this one. I also see that it turned out heavier than you were hoping. My dinghy also turned out heavier, but by around 5-6kgs. Like you, I know the areas I overbuilt and how to reduce the weight in future projects. You should consider rearranging your workshop to maximise your space. It looks like it is a storage shed. It might be worth moving a lot of that stuff to a different area to give yourself another bench or two. I really think it could speed up your workflow. Loved everything, well done!
I wish I could have a bigger workshop! Limited to half of a 400 sq-ft garage at the moment until we buy a house with a bigger garage... I'm making version 2 just about 2 ft/ 60 cm shorter (and using thinner strips and different fabrics), aiming for sub 15 kg total. Right now the deck and hull together are just under 10.5 kg. Hoping to be done by the end of January, and yes, videos to follow! Cheers :-)
Nice build. I made a cedar strip surf ski a few years back, watching your build makes me want to do another. Mine came in about 36 pounds, I think with pawlonia, and some lighter glass, i could probably build one under 30 pounds.
same thought here. Varnishing with Epifanes Hardwood oil, one component ... 7 layers. And this unique design would be a real stunner. Its already a stunner with the reverse bow, but wood on its own has its beautyness doesn't need to be hired. Yet, V2 is on its way I read, and then we might see it in its natural beautyness.
Brilliant video and what an amazing kayak. So much effort, to build. A very complicated process. Along with some other comments I think a clear coat would have looked beautiful but you should be very proud of her and thank you for sharing.
The build was amazing but the design is just excellent . Form follows function , those are the guide lines we must adhere to . How each artist reaches that is the magic . Just beautiful 👍
Great looking kayak with an interesting design. It reminds me a little of Björn Thomassons Panthera or Sea Racer which are similar kayak designs of a surfski inspired hull with a closed cockpit.
The kayak is very nice, you did a great job. especially the name was very special. I live in Turkey. The legend of Chimera lived on the southwest coast of this place.
just watch the whole video, it is great. hard to believe this is your first build, everything looked spot on perfect. it would be great to see a video showing how you designed it.
Been thinking about doing a design video- I'm working on a second version of this design at the moment, we'll see how a few small tweaks change the performance.
Fantastic job filming this! Well fantastic job building too... it's not out of your skillset if you decide it's not out of your skillset. Amazing build.
bit late to the party, but my word, what a beauty. The paulowina looks like its nice to work with for boat building, how does it compare to cedar for example?
thats awesome .... fell over it last night, when I looked for "skin over frame". And your design poke my sharp eyes. I would go further and integrate into your design a rigger system and use it as coastal C1 skulling boat. I am a sailor (with 48 years background), and for keeping me fit, I started rowing (do it already in a coastal C1 made of polyester and a heavy beast of 35 kg). I think its worth to think about if there is an option to adapt a slide rigger (not a slide seat) to your top frame. Any chance to study your plans of V1 and V2 (a scetch version in DINA4 would already a start before going into 3 D) ??? Tks for uploading this video and take us with you on this awesome 1.5 years journey. (P.S.: I love wood as material most of all either to work with or as I do living on a 37 foot 2-mast woode-in-wood built clinker Dutch sail slope, 63 years old.)
Great work! Beautiful lines on that hull. Would have liked to see more of the rudder install. Also just gotta say it, I would have looked into having it professionally gel coated for all that hard work you did painting it seems a bit wrong. All the best, happy paddling!
I had a color scheme in mind when I initially designed the boat, it was one thing I didn't really want to change. The next version which I'm building now will have the wood visible, and probably a clear-coat finish
Gel coat would most probably add extra weight. They also tend to look faded after a while. The poly finish on Think kayaks looks way better than the gel finish on Epic's, Fenns etc
Great job brother, Artist. thanks for sharing. for me, to make my own kayak is one thing I miss is I dont know yet how use the Adobe Illustrator . is simple???
As a fellow strip kayak builder I found the quality of your video, your original design and your workmanship to be joys to watch. As an Australian I found your alcohol consumption during the build disgusting! Who the hell drinks only one wine or one scotch or inconceivably only one beer while working in the shed? Can you even buy one beer? I think not. Cheers mate!
Nice. Tip: When sanding, guide coats show where your at and how your progressing. Graphite powder is good, or scribble over it with a pencil, and then sand back areas until it is removed. Apply a few times through out the process. Reduces unnecessary sanding. Marking pens leach through the glass after time. Just a thought.
length equals speed up to a certain point. The surf ski's shown at the end of video are all around 620cm in length. To keep up you need a fast kayak as well as good paddling technique which I think he has nailed
Thanks! I'm not distributing plans for this one, only 'cuz I re-designed it and am working on building version 2 right now! If the changes work out, then I'll probably make plans for the second version available :-)
i would have cut out the cockpit and installed the coaming After i joined the halves together....it just makes sense to avoid any torque hang ups. turned out nice though anyway....good job.
looks incredible (both painted and not...) ! How long did it take you? Looks like a lot of work, I'm glad it payed off and hopefully you enjoyed the process too :-D
I am interested in plans as well. I have built several SOF, & Stitch kayaks, but not a strip. I have been looking for something exactly like this to play around with, a Ski that you sit in. Your design looks like it fits the bill, can't wait to see generation 2. I personally think you did a fantastic job. A natural wood version would look nice, but the white stands out as well. What is the rough length, width for the next one?
I took a bit of length and width off for version 2, it's coming out ~5.6 m length and 45 cm width. Shorter = the build process fits better in my garage! Also saves weight, and should actually increase the speed with less wetted surface area
S glass is significantly more expensive (~$15 US per yard vs $4) and harder to work with- for a first build I didn't want to add in any un-necessary difficulties if I didn't have to.... Using S glass for the second one though!
This is your FIRST????? I’m staggered - we’ll impressed. I’m on my second boat and I can say that S-glass is lovely to work with - just don’t crease it. Wets out beautifully with MAS low viscosity resin.
Beautiful, I'd left the nice wood pattern shine through, but it's your boat, so you're entitled to paint it, if you like it that way ... how much does it weigh in ?
very nice boat, as mentioned by others why did you 'paint' it, the wood look is so good. But I was wondering about a design feature, why is the bottom so flat till the end? A rounded of back end is faster and the stability comes from the flat part under the cockpit.
Regarding the hull design- true, but then it would be similar to just about every other surfski out there! In flatwater this design (with the planing surface extended all the way to the stern) is a bit slower, but at speed on a wave the "lift" from the hull planing is pretty similar to other surfskis I've paddled.
Congratulations on your effort and dedication resulting in a wonderful craft! As others have noted about the weight, I wonder how much weight could have been saved by using vacuum bagging technique. Two thumbs up!!
Probably a couple kgs could have been saved, but I don't have the means to invest in all the other supplies needed for the vacuum process... What really would have saved some weight was warming up the epoxy a bit more to reduce its viscosity (lessons learned for building version 2!)
None at all would be saved.... he added a fill coat after, so whatever losses were had would be offset by filling the weave. It'd be lighter without paint too, but both those things likely ended up with a smoother and more hydrodynamically slippery hull
Hi all-
To answer a few common questions:
(1) "Why paint over the beautiful wood?"
There's a pretty simple reason. I had a color scheme/ pattern in mind when I designed the boat, and wanted to stick to it! This was also my first attempt at a wood-strip kayak build, and tbh there were a couple little spots in the woodwork that didn't make the video that I just wasn't proud of- likely not noticeable by most, but definitely for me :-p
But don't worry- version 2 that I'm building now is certainly not going to be painted... got something even better in the works :-)
(2) Dimensions?
Length: 20 ft/ 6.1 m; Width 18.5 in/ 47 cm; Weight ~42 lbs/ 19 kg
(3) Are the plans available?
Not for this particular boat at the moment. I'm close to finishing up building a second version, spent a lot of time revising the design, smoothing out some of the lines, and refining the materials and workflow for the build. If I'm happy with the second version, the yes! I'll be making the plans for both V1 and V2 available.
(Spoiler alert- of course I'm filming the build process! And- V2 is looking like it'll come out at about 2/3 the weight of V1...)
You did an awesome job on the woodwork for a first time. It looks much easier when Nick is doing it compared to doing it yourself. How do you find it compares to surf skis for stability and speed? I have a Think Zen and and am contemplating either buying a Think 6 or building a Guillemot Kayaks Mystery
20 ft boat for just one rower. Why so long boat? Is there is some pluses for so long boat?
@@bobododoo3925 longer boats are faster- to a point. Everything is a compromise though. Length = Faster but less nimble, narrow width = faster but less stable (which actually means slower if you are upside down).
Great job! You inspired me to build my own kayak. I'm curious to see how V2 turned out. Thanks!
That reversed bow is gorgeous, makes it super classic yet modern.
Sounds like retro :)
what a great boat... and you have got really fast moving hands ;-)... nice vid
A humbling video tbh... What an awesome vessel.
I started watching the video without first reading the intro and after a few minutes I began to guess that you were under the influence of Nick Schade. The guy is a marvel at kayak building. And you learned well.
Amazing work, watched from beginning to end! May it serve you well :)
Amazing boat build. Thanks for documenting and sharing
Nicely done. That looked like an insane amount of effort, but I imagine it was a labor of love.
I just loved the baptising bit.
.
Ein wunderbares Kayak. Danke für das tolle Video 👍
Excellent design and the video is pure ZEN to watch :-)
I was terrified to see you left the forms inside, until I realized it was two separate shells :-D
the best spent 30 minutes of my life, great job, good vibes here in Brazil for you
Absolutely brilliant. Looks fast.
really nice. Good job.
This is awesome! I built a stitch and glue dinghy about 4 years ago. Your strip plank boat has a lot of extra steps that require more patience and thought. You nailed it! I like the colour scheme. I think you made the right choice by covering up the wood. I see in the comments that you are working on a Version 2. I am really hoping that you document that one in a similar fashion to this one. I also see that it turned out heavier than you were hoping. My dinghy also turned out heavier, but by around 5-6kgs. Like you, I know the areas I overbuilt and how to reduce the weight in future projects. You should consider rearranging your workshop to maximise your space. It looks like it is a storage shed. It might be worth moving a lot of that stuff to a different area to give yourself another bench or two. I really think it could speed up your workflow. Loved everything, well done!
I wish I could have a bigger workshop! Limited to half of a 400 sq-ft garage at the moment until we buy a house with a bigger garage... I'm making version 2 just about 2 ft/ 60 cm shorter (and using thinner strips and different fabrics), aiming for sub 15 kg total. Right now the deck and hull together are just under 10.5 kg. Hoping to be done by the end of January, and yes, videos to follow!
Cheers :-)
@@kayakphd So cool. Thanks for the update!
Nice build. I made a cedar strip surf ski a few years back, watching your build makes me want to do another. Mine came in about 36 pounds, I think with pawlonia, and some lighter glass, i could probably build one under 30 pounds.
Beautiful boat, outstanding craftsmanship, thanks for sharing.
Wow, that was amazing and inspiring! You did an amazing job for a first time build, congratulations!!
Thank you!
Very nice build. Congratulations
it was SOOO beautiful.. before the paint :) ... i love wood finish boats!
same thought here. Varnishing with Epifanes Hardwood oil, one component ... 7 layers. And this unique design would be a real stunner. Its already a stunner with the reverse bow, but wood on its own has its beautyness doesn't need to be hired. Yet, V2 is on its way I read, and then we might see it in its natural beautyness.
Brilliant video and what an amazing kayak. So much effort, to build. A very complicated process. Along with some other comments I think a clear coat would have looked beautiful but you should be very proud of her and thank you for sharing.
The build was amazing but the design is just excellent . Form follows function , those are the guide lines we must adhere to . How each artist reaches that is the magic . Just beautiful 👍
Beautiful kajak!
Greetings from Germany
Great looking kayak with an interesting design. It reminds me a little of Björn Thomassons Panthera or Sea Racer which are similar kayak designs of a surfski inspired hull with a closed cockpit.
Unreal! I remember you building this in real time, and seeing it all come together in one chunk brings home how much work you actually did on it.
Fantastic job, and what a beautiful kayak it turned out.
Beautiful build, great design and execution.
The kayak is very nice, you did a great job. especially the name was very special. I live in Turkey. The legend of Chimera lived on the southwest coast of this place.
Sweet boat! I don't have the patience for projects that are this intense! Can't wait to see the next boat finished!
what a beautiful boat. thanks for sharing
I've been inspired to make my own! That was fantastic!
Nice shape and very good job done!
Amazing. Engrossing. Beautiful.
Thank you!
just watch the whole video, it is great. hard to believe this is your first build, everything looked spot on perfect. it would be great to see a video showing how you designed it.
Been thinking about doing a design video- I'm working on a second version of this design at the moment, we'll see how a few small tweaks change the performance.
@@kayakphd i have a kayak i designed and built. i can e-mail it to you, or send it on facebook. i think i sent you a friend add ?
Solid! I want one!
Killer boat mate! Loved the video.
Fajny film, podziwiam Twoją determinację i cierpliwość. Dziękuję i pozdrawiam.
Gorgeous boat and amazing workmanship. Be proud of yourself. It's amazing.
Great work
I like it. Very nice!
And great paddle technique.
BEAUTIFUL design!
Fantastic job filming this! Well fantastic job building too... it's not out of your skillset if you decide it's not out of your skillset. Amazing build.
It's so amazing skill. Great
Incredible work.
Congratulations
Beautiful build. I paddle most types of kayaks in South Africa.
1:42 Nice Jig !!
Super boulot! Un surfski ponté
Beautiful boat and excellent video!
Dam, this is a good video!
bit late to the party, but my word, what a beauty. The paulowina looks like its nice to work with for boat building, how does it compare to cedar for example?
I've never worked with cedar, but the paulownia is wonderful to work with- planes and sands So easily!
thats awesome .... fell over it last night, when I looked for "skin over frame". And your design poke my sharp eyes. I would go further and integrate into your design a rigger system and use it as coastal C1 skulling boat. I am a sailor (with 48 years background), and for keeping me fit, I started rowing (do it already in a coastal C1 made of polyester and a heavy beast of 35 kg). I think its worth to think about if there is an option to adapt a slide rigger (not a slide seat) to your top frame. Any chance to study your plans of V1 and V2 (a scetch version in DINA4 would already a start before going into 3 D) ??? Tks for uploading this video and take us with you on this awesome 1.5 years journey. (P.S.: I love wood as material most of all either to work with or as I do living on a 37 foot 2-mast woode-in-wood built clinker Dutch sail slope, 63 years old.)
Such a beautiful boat. It would be amazing to have access to the plans :)
Nice design
A beautiful vessel. :)
I want the plans pls!!!
yes!! the plans!! pls
Great work! Beautiful lines on that hull. Would have liked to see more of the rudder install. Also just gotta say it, I would have looked into having it professionally gel coated for all that hard work you did painting it seems a bit wrong. All the best, happy paddling!
I had a color scheme in mind when I initially designed the boat, it was one thing I didn't really want to change. The next version which I'm building now will have the wood visible, and probably a clear-coat finish
Gel coat would most probably add extra weight. They also tend to look faded after a while. The poly finish on Think kayaks looks way better than the gel finish on Epic's, Fenns etc
Nice! I bet its fast in the water
Hermoso trabajo amigo, me gustarìa hacer uno.
Saludos desde Veracruz (Mexico).
Very cool!
Great job brother, Artist. thanks for sharing. for me, to make my own kayak is one thing I miss is I dont know yet how use the Adobe Illustrator . is simple???
Beautifull work!
Great work!
Thanks for sharing
Such a cool video. inspiring. Thanks bro.
Nice kayak
How much are the plans or drawings of the Chemira please let me know I really like this kayak
AMAZINGNES!!!
very good! impressive!
Отлично сделано. Скажите на видео с 20с по 30с какую программу используете. И где брали файл -образец лодки. Спасибо
Hola, muy buen trabajo!, de este diseño, donde puedo comprar los planos, muchas gracias y un saludo.
As a fellow strip kayak builder I found the quality of your video, your original design and your workmanship to be joys to watch.
As an Australian I found your alcohol consumption during the build disgusting!
Who the hell drinks only one wine or one scotch or inconceivably only one beer while working in the shed?
Can you even buy one beer? I think not. Cheers mate!
Not documented during the build: the extra beer recycling bin in the garage! General rule is >1 beer per hour of build time
@@kayakphd Very solid shed rule.
Nice. Tip: When sanding, guide coats show where your at and how your progressing. Graphite powder is good, or scribble over it with a pencil, and then sand back areas until it is removed. Apply a few times through out the process. Reduces unnecessary sanding. Marking pens leach through the glass after time. Just a thought.
Thanks for the education. I want to build a small catamaran to learn to sail
Nice! If you haven't already, check out CLC boats (Chesapeake Light Craft)- they have a small catamaran kit you can build
@@kayakphd thanks. Will check out that vid now
Great looking boat. What is to weigh?
Love the build I have no idea why it is so long and what is the advantage of that. 🏴
length equals speed up to a certain point. The surf ski's shown at the end of video are all around 620cm in length. To keep up you need a fast kayak as well as good paddling technique which I think he has nailed
hey mate, awesome boat. would you care to share the plans, I'd happily pay for them so I have a project for the next NZ winter?
Thanks! I'm not distributing plans for this one, only 'cuz I re-designed it and am working on building version 2 right now! If the changes work out, then I'll probably make plans for the second version available :-)
@@kayakphd thanks,, that's great..
can you tell me how much timber you used, please? then I can place a pre-order with a local supplier.
i would have cut out the cockpit and installed the coaming After i joined the halves together....it just makes sense to avoid any torque hang ups.
turned out nice though anyway....good job.
looks incredible (both painted and not...) ! How long did it take you? Looks like a lot of work, I'm glad it payed off and hopefully you enjoyed the process too :-D
So much patience and skills, very impressed ! Why did you paint ? The wood/carbon aspect was very nice !
finish level/materials used not designed to be a bright finish.
I am interested in plans as well. I have built several SOF, & Stitch kayaks, but not a strip. I have been looking for something exactly like this to play around with, a Ski that you sit in. Your design looks like it fits the bill, can't wait to see generation 2. I personally think you did a fantastic job. A natural wood version would look nice, but the white stands out as well. What is the rough length, width for the next one?
I took a bit of length and width off for version 2, it's coming out ~5.6 m length and 45 cm width. Shorter = the build process fits better in my garage! Also saves weight, and should actually increase the speed with less wetted surface area
Awesome!
Thank you!!!!!!!
nice.
Beutifull boat. How much it weighs. You draw it a scratch?
Nice work! What does it weigh? Length? Width?
well done!!!!!
Awesome 👌
brilliant
Stunning. One question - why E glass when S glass is supposedly stronger?
S glass is significantly more expensive (~$15 US per yard vs $4) and harder to work with- for a first build I didn't want to add in any un-necessary difficulties if I didn't have to....
Using S glass for the second one though!
This is your FIRST????? I’m staggered - we’ll impressed.
I’m on my second boat and I can say that S-glass is lovely to work with - just don’t crease it. Wets out beautifully with MAS low viscosity resin.
@@peterflynn9123 Thanks!
I'm actually really liking working with the S glass this time around- and using a much lower viscosity resin
Beautiful, I'd left the nice wood pattern shine through, but it's your boat, so you're entitled to paint it, if you like it that way ... how much does it weigh in ?
What type of paint you use
Very nice video. I’m wondering how you got the last few strips that you put on the bottom of the hull trimmed to fit perfectly?
Very, very carefully :-) Not shown was the scrap strip bucket with all the strips that I accidentally planed too much off of.....
Hi another question. Did you think about putting scallops in the top like surf skis have so you can start the stroke closer to the hull?
Nice boat, but I'd love to know the weight of the thing.
It came out right around 20 kg- heavy for a surfski, but light for a wooden sea kayak
very nice boat, as mentioned by others why did you 'paint' it, the wood look is so good.
But I was wondering about a design feature, why is the bottom so flat till the end? A rounded of back end is faster and the stability comes from the flat part under the cockpit.
Regarding the hull design- true, but then it would be similar to just about every other surfski out there! In flatwater this design (with the planing surface extended all the way to the stern) is a bit slower, but at speed on a wave the "lift" from the hull planing is pretty similar to other surfskis I've paddled.
Love the shape of it! How does it perform? 😀
Pretty great, actually!
th-cam.com/video/JxuPha_J2do/w-d-xo.html
Slick as...
Congratulations on your effort and dedication resulting in a wonderful craft! As others have noted about the weight, I wonder how much weight could have been saved by using vacuum bagging technique. Two thumbs up!!
Probably a couple kgs could have been saved, but I don't have the means to invest in all the other supplies needed for the vacuum process... What really would have saved some weight was warming up the epoxy a bit more to reduce its viscosity (lessons learned for building version 2!)
None at all would be saved.... he added a fill coat after, so whatever losses were had would be offset by filling the weave. It'd be lighter without paint too, but both those things likely ended up with a smoother and more hydrodynamically slippery hull
Hi, welches Holz benutzt du für deine Kayaks?