Hi Rick, I can't explain why the last forms don't line up with the end forms. I didn't notice it until I started stripping, and I just stripped across the space--everything turned out fair.

That said, I spaced my forms at 12.75" for a 18' long kayak. 18'-1", actually. I'll tell you how the hull speed and handling are in about 2 weeks.

Kent LeBoutillier in New Hampshire and Ray in Port Angeles are both building 18' Guillemots. Kent just finished his, and Ray is a little behind me.

You're not the only one who has thought stretching it was worth the effort! (We'll all be sure to tell you, though, when we get ours done!)

Theoretically, it will increase the maximum displacement hull speed about a knot. (I can't remember the formula off the top of my head, but I have it on a spreadsheet at home, so I'll post it as a response to this post--I think from 5.5kt to 6.5kt or thereabouts). The Guillemot 17 has about a 14.5' LWL. The G18 is approximately 15.5' LWL.

Shawn

: I have recently purchased Nick's Book The Stripe Built Sea Kayak and am
: enjoyng lofting the Guillemot Single from the book and I have a question
: about the end forms,frame 1,2,3,14,15,16 in the book it does not explain
: why these forms do not line up with the planed bottom angle of the end
: form. I know there is a reason for this but I am not clear on this point.
: I am also thinking about spacing the forms out to build a 18' for a higher
: hull speed. My question- is this worth the effort. Will this increse the
: hhll speed that much? I much appreciate this web site and wish you all
: good paddling and fair seas.