David,

You've heard about Bill's Project X. I've also done a light SOF. I did a light version of the Walrus by George Putz. It is 17'8" by 20" and weighs in at 27 pounds. It could have been made lighter without the bulky floor beams. Using the rib method will lighten it up some. The trick is to use light materials. I used Western Red Cedar for the frame, 9 oz. polyester for the skin, sealed with Varathane. If you want light weight don't used canvas for the skin. Use either a nylon or polyester, sealed with thin coats of Urethane. Mine could have also been lightened by sewing the skin, eliminating the mahogany keel and rubrails. I can see that altering my methods some, I could build a similar kayak that weighs in around 20 pounds.

What is the target weight you are after? How high are durability and abrasion resistance on your list? Is interior storage space a priority? I have found that adding float bags and other gear also add a lot of weight to the my kayak. This is more noticeable on a lighter kayak, because it becomes a higher percentage of the weight.

Mike Hanks

: Well I've been away from boat building for the winter, and now that summer is
: rushing up to us and I sold my 30# yare I need a new boat. I have been
: looking at the ultralight boats made with many stringers held together
: with steam bent cross ribs, and covered with heat shrink dacron. Some of
: those canoes get down to about 10#'s and seem to be very nice craft. This
: is an example. http://www.geocities.com/colosseum/goal/4039/ My question
: is would it be possible to apply this same idea to a sea kayak? also I
: would do basically the same thing, but use kevlar roving/chordage as the
: ribs. I could simply cut small notches where the kevlar roving would lay
: on the stringers. soak the kevlar in resin, and make ribs that way. I
: think this could save a lot of time and energy in the building process. It
: would save the hassle of steam bending all those ribs, and would most
: likely come out about the same stiffness and strength wise. any thoughts?
: any one ever seen it done this way? any input would be greatly
: appreciated.

: I am starting a small model of one of my own designs, whne it's finished,
: I'll post some pics of it.