It has been a long time since we saw any updates on the kayak, right? Is it possible it is already completed? Nope, no updates meant there was no progress. But there has been progress recently! I finally finished out the hatch coamings last week and then worked on the hatches themselves. They are poorly cut but good to go. (Note the foam in the shots below. That part worked out perfect.)
As shown in the previous Coho blog, I have been sanding the hull. About 70% done (8 hours or so). Then I have to do the deck (then I should spray paint and sand both at least 3 more times!)
After way too much deliberation, the hatch straps were finally installed. The straps could not be melted wide and I was not willing to sew, so (ha!) I went to REI and bought more buckles, soaked the strap ends in epoxy, installed and cinched them down overnight.
As long as the boat was still upside down in the warm garage (subject of much discussion since it has been explained to me that it is also possible to park a car in the garage), I sanded down the curved ends where the CF caused so much trouble and tried to re-do. After sanding, scraping and dremeling, I put down some epoxy and CF but I could not make the ‘teacher overhead projector’ plastic sheets bend correctly so I decided to try electrical tape. Then I laid duct tape over that. The stern is solid but, because I am eeking out the last of the epoxy hardener (on principle), the bow is not solid…yet. Hope it looks good in the morning.
New launch date – Christmas at Waverly Beach Park!
By the way, the reason that I moved the kayak from the backyard to the garage was because it was getting some water damage from the unfinished ends and pieces. It was pointed out to me, with some joy, that it did not make a whole lot of sense that a BOAT needed to be protected from WATER.