#329 - 01/05/07 11:33 PM
CLC Arctic Hawk
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Registered: 01/05/07
Posts: 4
Loc: Pacific Norhwest (USA)
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Pictures of the boat just after completion: http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v61/watersprite/Kayak/?I built this boat a few years ago. My only woodworking experience before this project was a chessboard in my Jr. High School shop class. Mark and Celeste Rogers' very detailed building manual was great, and the boat turned out very nicely. I installed the Yakima foot braces using glued/glassed-in interior studs, so that I wouldn't have to drill any holes through the hull. Years ago (1997), when I was narrowing down the choices for my first boat purchase, the WS Arctic Hawk was near the top of my short list, but every WS boat I tried seemed to have a fairly flimsy layup, so at the time, I decided on a CD Caribou instead (that's me and my Caribou on the cover of the April 1999 Sea Kayaker Mag., by the way). When CLC started offering the AH kit, I jumped at the chance to build this wooden version of the boat, and I'm very pleased with it. Melissa
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#330 - 01/08/07 05:47 AM
Re: CLC Arctic Hawk
[Re: watersprite]
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Forum Participant
Registered: 09/23/06
Posts: 37
Loc: Michigan
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Wow, very nice boat! I have a couple of questions for you.
You made the kayak a couple of years ago, so I assume you have used it quite a bit:
How does the wooden boat hold up? (especially compared to the fiberglass or plastic boats)
How often do you refinish your boat?
What finish did you use? I am probably going with varnish but am considering LPU. The quality looks fantasic in the pictures.
How do those hatch covers work for you? I am not happy with the look of my hatch covers and would like to do something more like what you have. Are the pretty water-tight?
Have you taken it on any big trips?
Sorry to dump all this on you at once, don't feel the need to answer right away.
Thanks,
Scott
_________________________
Build a man a fire, he will be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, he will be warm for the rest of his life.
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#331 - 01/08/07 02:00 PM
Re: CLC Arctic Hawk
[Re: TurfBoy]
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Registered: 01/05/07
Posts: 4
Loc: Pacific Norhwest (USA)
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Hi Scott, Quote:
Wow, very nice boat! I have a couple of questions for you.
You made the kayak a couple of years ago, so I assume you have used it quite a bit:
Indeed! I paddle several times a week, year round. :-)
Quote:
How does the wooden boat hold up? (especially compared to the fiberglass or plastic boats)
As you know, it is sheathed in fiberglass inside and out, so with the plywood core in the "sandwich", it is very strong. Though I don't go out of my way to abuse my boats, I certainly don't baby them either. This boat has held up very well in all sorts of conditions. It acquires the usual scratches from regular usage, but it really is very durable. I couldn't be more pleased with it in this regard. Having built it myself, I know that if it ever does need major repairs, I'll be able to deal with it.
Quote:
How often do you refinish your boat?
I've only refinished it once so far (last winter), after two years of heavy usage. It didn't need any "repair" per se, but I wanted to keep the UV protection of the varnish "updated". Scratches don't bother me, so UV protection is my main concern here.
Quote:
What finish did you use?
Z-Spar Captain's Varnish.
Quote:
How do those hatch covers work for you?
Great! I was really pleased that this kit was designed with this particular flush hatch system. Aesthetically, it is very clean, and...
Quote:
Are the pretty water-tight?
Yes.
Quote:
Have you taken it on any big trips?
Nothing over a few days so far, but I am planning an Inside Passage paddle, and this is the boat I intend to use. It is considered a "medium volume" boat, and with my background in alpine backpacking, its gear capacity is positively luxurious. :-)
Melissa
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#332 - 01/09/07 05:41 AM
Re: CLC Arctic Hawk
[Re: watersprite]
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Forum Participant
Registered: 09/23/06
Posts: 37
Loc: Michigan
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Excellent! Thank you for the quick reply. I can't wait to get my wife's finished so that we can take them out. Happy paddling
_________________________
Build a man a fire, he will be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, he will be warm for the rest of his life.
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#333 - 01/09/07 09:12 AM
Re: CLC Arctic Hawk
[Re: TurfBoy]
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Forum Participant
Registered: 01/05/07
Posts: 4
Loc: Pacific Norhwest (USA)
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Quote:
Excellent! Thank you for the quick reply. I can't wait to get my wife's finished so that we can take them out. Happy paddling
Hi Scott,
Isn't it a wonderful thing to build your own boats? :-)
Though I spent a few moments of nervous anticipation before going on to some of the "next big steps" for the first time, I really loved the building process. When the boat was finished, I felt even more grateful than proud. Grateful that I had the chance to bring a beautiful little boat into the world with my own two hands.
My next project will be a low volume SOF (again, my favorite W. Greenland style boat). I'll also be carving several GPs for myself and some friends. :-)
Melissa
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#334 - 01/11/07 09:45 AM
One of a kind forum question
[Re: watersprite]
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Forum Participant
Registered: 03/06/06
Posts: 323
Loc: Seattle, WA
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I've noticed this section has become a good place for the exchange of information about building kit boats. How do those of you using this forum feel about changing the name to reflect the interest? Also If you'd like I could see if a couple of the kit builders would be willing to check in occasionally and give their answers along with those of fellow builders.
Any feedback?
Thanks
Michael
Sea Kayaker Mag
_________________________
Michael Collins
Sea Kayaker Magazine
michael@seakayakermag.com
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#335 - 01/12/07 08:09 AM
Re: One of a kind forum question
[Re: mikekayak]
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Forum Participant
Registered: 09/23/06
Posts: 37
Loc: Michigan
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Michael,
Those all sound good to me, espcially since I was one that kind of took this forum in a different direction. For that I am sorry. But, at the same time, it seems to be getting more action now.
Scott
_________________________
Build a man a fire, he will be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, he will be warm for the rest of his life.
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#336 - 01/12/07 10:24 PM
Re: One of a kind forum question
[Re: TurfBoy]
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Forum Participant
Registered: 03/06/06
Posts: 323
Loc: Seattle, WA
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Scott,
I'm very happy you opened this discussion. We're new to this and looking for the direction that best fits the needs of our readers both web and print. If you've got any other ideas I'd be happy to listen.
Michael
_________________________
Michael Collins
Sea Kayaker Magazine
michael@seakayakermag.com
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#337 - 01/13/07 12:27 AM
Re: One of a kind forum question
[Re: mikekayak]
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Forum Participant
Registered: 01/05/07
Posts: 4
Loc: Pacific Norhwest (USA)
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Quote:
I've noticed this section has become a good place for the exchange of information about building kit boats. How do those of you using this forum feel about changing the name to reflect the interest? Also If you'd like I could see if a couple of the kit builders would be willing to check in occasionally and give their answers along with those of fellow builders.
Any feedback?
I think I have an idea that can make this forum relatively unique, and at the same time expand the focus to include more than just one method of building.
You can keep the focus on projects that are already finished...sticking to your original idea of "A place to show off and discuss your custom built boat". However, let it include not only kit boats, but also custom one-of-a-kind boats, SOFs, and even perhaps paddles as well (Euro/GP/norsaqs, etc.). The questions and answers about these specific finished projects will still be very helpful to those who are either in the planning stages or are already building/carving, and with the focus on already finished projects, this would pretty much guarantee that there would still be plenty of nice and informative pictures (again, in keeping with your original idea for this forum).
Since there are already several very good and well established forums for discussing all aspects of boat building and paddle making, the idea above might make this forum unique while still being entertaining, helpful, and generally educational for all.
Melissa
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