Hello, I just completed a guillemot as my first kayak and like yourself thought that the project was proceeding slowly at the start(I did not use any staples) but once you get going things seem to pick up. Working nights and weekends it took me 5 months, so complete one piece at a time and the kayak will get done, promise :-) kenny > About a month ago I posted a message on the board asking for advice for a
> novice. After reading the threads, getting a few books and reading them,
> searching articles in old wooden boat magazines, I finally started my
> boat. Thanks to those that have given advice. I chose the Guillemot,
> lofted the plans, got them all set up on the strongback (took about 8
> hours for that alone) bought wood locally and got the suppliers mill work
> shop to strip it full length, and milled the coves and beads myself. This
> weekend I began stripping. I've been trying to do it with as few staples
> as possible, but I had a heck of a time getting the shear strips to hold
> in place. Destroyed two strips and used tons of hot glue, finally accepted
> the fact that some staples would be necessary. I have six strips in place,
> and my running total of time is around 40 hours at this point. Will I
> really be able to paddle this thing one day, before my wife leaves me and
> my children go off to college? (they are 5 and 7 at this point).