RE: Great Auk builders

 » Submitted by benny - Fri, November 14 » 7:27 PM

I have received the plans, and will start building in earnest after Christmas. I hope to get some of the tools I require for Christmas.

Currently getting the garage area ready for the project.

RE: Great Auk builders

 » Submitted by Garry - Sat, November 15 » 10:43 AM

Hi Benny, is it possible to email you?  Thanks Garry

RE: Great Auk builders

 » Submitted by benny - Sat, November 15 » 8:36 PM

Garry:

E-mail address is geraldbenson_322@bellsouth.net

between the n_322 is an under score

RE: Great Auk builders

 » Submitted by Chips - Sat, November 22 » 11:10 PM

Hi Garry:  Started a Great Auk 14 about 4 weeks ago and am currently finishing the deck-to-hull joint.  The kayak is going to be great when finished, unless I blow it during the final steps.  This is my first cedar strip-built project and I've learned a lot in the process.  I have photos of the entrire process, so if you have any questions that i could possibly help with, let me know.

 Jerry

RE: Great Auk builders

 » Submitted by Garry - Mon, November 24 » 9:49 AM

Hiya Jerry,

I absolutely would love your input, pictures etc. You can bet I will have questions for you. My email is ggoakley@rochester.rr.com please contact me there and I'll stay in touch better that way with you and thanks sooooooo much. Ya made my day

RE: Great Auk builders

 » Submitted by Chips - Mon, November 24 » 9:13 PM

Hi Garry

You can contact me at jcs4905@comcast.net.  Let me know if you can receive a fairly large file and I'll send you a progression of photos of our Great Auk in process.

Chips (Jerry)

RE: Great Auk builders

 » Submitted by Kyle T - Tue, November 25 » 1:15 PM

Hi Garry,

I built a Great Auk tandem a few years ago.  Except for the extra cockpit and a little more width the build process should be about the same.  It was my first strip built kayak too and I remember the number of questions I had.  I took lots of pictures of the build and posted them on Webshots.  Each picture has a comment added that might help answer some questions.  Check it out at

http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/1068169110037389231vpidMb

Good luck,

Kyle T 

RE: Great Auk builders

 » Submitted by MikeL - Tue, December 2 » 9:37 AM

Hi Garry,

I've only just read your post as I don't visit this site very often. I hope you have as musch fun building your kayak as we did.

 We finished our Great Auk in September (our first and only kayak) - there's a couple of photos at the address below. It was great fun to build and is even more fun to paddle: fast, stable and tracks really well.

We had to reduce the length to 15 feet because our garage simply isn't long enough to build anything longer. We had surprisingly few difficulties on the way. The only major mistake we made was to try varnishing before the epoxy had time to cure properly (and we probably should have washed the epoxy before varnishing). The result was that the varnish refused to dry and the only solution was to scrape it all off and start again! I won't make that mistake again. 

http://s486.photobucket.com/albums/rr225/HarpendenMike/?action=view&current=frintonoctober2008010.jpg

RE: Great Auk builders

 » Submitted by Garry - Tue, December 2 » 2:33 PM

Hi Mike, thanks so much for the pictures. I'll take all the pictures I can find. I'm still in the structural stage of my build but I'm going slow and asking alot of questions. I think I've spent as much in tools as i have on the kit, lol. But it is fun and here in upstate NY, it's a great project for the winter.(I have a heated garage). I'm also gonna take pictures as I go so I can be of some help to others who may have questions. See ya again I hope

Garry

RE: Great Auk builders

 » Submitted by firsttimebuilder - Fri, January 23 » 5:15 PM

All:

First time builder here!  Very happy to have found this forum!  I received the plans for my Great Auk about two years ago and have just recently gotten up the courage to start building. 

I've finally cleared out space in my basement, built the stands, and strung the forms on my strongback.  It's a great feeling to have finally started.  However, I've already hit a challenge and I don't want to goof this up.

For you experienced builders, this may sound pretty simple, but here goes.  How do I line up and attach the end forms to the strongback?

The reference forms on the form templates from the plans are so small and in some case non existent, so I can't figure out how to line them up.  Same goes for vertical alignment of the end forms. I seem to be missing some important concept that would help me make the proper alignment for these two forms.  I've read Nick Schade's book several times and have read the notes that came with the plans, but not finding what I need to get past this one step.

 Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

John 

RE: Great Auk builders

 » Submitted by Garry - Thu, January 29 » 2:22 PM

Hi John, I'd have answered you sooner nut I just got home from back surgery. I am still working on my Great Auk and I'd be more then happy to help you with what I know. I can't work on my kayak for another couple of weeks I'd suspect so I will be available for you. My email is ggoakley@rochester.rr.com

Message me anytime

Garry