: Does anyone have experience with Hans Freidel's kayak plans? I'm wondering if
: anyone knows what's included, how to best get them here from Europe, etc.
: In particular I'm looking at the triple "Zeb K2", there's
: something appealing to me about the photos of that design that's missing
: from the other triples I've seen. Perhaps its the cambered deck combined
: with the hard chine hull, or the shape of the bow. I'd assume all
: measurements are metric, but are the patterns supplied as full size
: templates, or just offsets? This will be my second s&g kayak from plans,
: so I'm fairly confident in getting the job done, but some further insight
: would be welcome
Gel coat is a great product in the laid-up polyester world due to it's uv protection and it's great look. I don't believe there is a better way get color on a boat. Here is where you have to ask what it will do to you're kayak.
-It will make it heavier. Gel coat is not light
-It is a pain to apply out side those times when you a dealing with female mold. It can be applied as a last coat but you must use PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) to prevent O2 from preventing it to cure. You can also add wax to it that rises to the surface to prevent O2 contact
-lastly , why would you want to cover that wood. The greatest part of building with wood is that it looks great. Have have built many boats of different designs and composites but will never built another boat with anthing but wood. It simply looks great.
Danno