: I am building my Atlantic 19 outside. I have it covered with plastic while
: I'm not working on it. I supported it as in Nick's book with custom built
: sawhorses. I would first like to recommend that if you are building
: outside you make the "feet" longer to keep the 'yak from tipping
: in wind. How do I know??? After a relaxing 2-week vacation away from home
: I found my kayak frame (Thank goodness I had not yet started stripping)
: laying on its side. It had flipped over in high wind. The strongback had
: cracked causing the frame to bend to the left. Perhaps I could build a
: Venetian Gondola out of it, but I prefer to fix it. Here is what I have
: proposed...

: Since I Screwed and glued the forms to the strongback I don't want to have to
: take it all apart. What I want to do is put a splint on the cracked part
: of the frame. This will fix the break, but unfortunately the strongback is
: slightly warped from laying on its side and getting wet (plastic blew
: off). To fix this I am going to try hammering 2x4's upright into the
: ground in a straight line and using deck screws to screw the kayak frame
: to the 2x4's. This will keep it straight while I build the bottom. Once
: the bottom is done I will unscrew the frame from the 2x4's and hopefully
: the strips will keep the kayak's shape after that. The warp is only
: minimal (about 3" off center over the 19' length) and would not put a
: lot of pressure on the strips. What do you folks think? This is my first
: kayak, so don't laugh if my idea is dumb. At least I asked first,
: right!!!!???

Malcolm

This may not be the easiest way, but I think you need to start with a Good, Straight strongback as everything is based on that one thing being accurate. Yes, you can cut the holes bigger in the forms and move it around, but taking out a 3" bow by adjusting the forms is a bit much. On the end forms, you probably don't have 3" to spare and that's where it will be the furthest out of adjustment. Too many corrections down the road and too many headaches trying to correct everything, if you are a new builder. Hope you get back on track soon. Time to enjoy your project!

Rehd