: Hey Robert: Are you sure you had only 3 beers? And that incense, are you
: telling me that you didn't inhale? I took a look at your rebuild project
: for the first time and I have to hand it to you, you have patience and
: perseverance unparalleled . I'm not sure that I'd go thru what you are to
: do that major of a repair. It is a great warning to me not to let that
: happen to me. But here in Michigan we don't have Class anything rapids.
: Unless you count going over Tahquamenon Falls.

: Good luck on your rebuild project.

Thanks, David. I should mention that when I said many "here" thought it couldn't be done, I meant "here" at home NOT anyone at the KBBS. I've had nothing but support from everyone at the KBBS. I am sure I had only three beers coz that's all I had left. I did indeed inhale the incense but not too deeply. That rebuild is taking a lot of patience but because of my prior experience it is almost a no brainer. I did a lot of thinking as to how to proceed with it before I started the work and so far I have only changed two parts of the process. I was going to use the original pieces to put it back together. I soon realized that was a nutty idea so I made clean cuts of all broken edges adn made up new patches to tie in. I also decided to remove all of the old varnish in order to facilitate easier and more effective epoxy work. Removing that old varnish is proving to be extremely time consuming even when using acetone to soften it up. I guess I was very generous when I first applied the stuff. At any rate, when I am done with it it will be a work to rival a Ravensburg puzzle. My timing for completing it should be perfect as a couple of KBBS guys are coming into town later this month or in Aug so we can head off for a paddle. Also, my 9 yr old daughter has taken to the paddle so I will have a great little partner to chat with on my shorter trips. I really had no choice but to rebuild the old yak coz it was my first kayak; I couldn't just turn it into another cool flower planter now could I?

Robert N Pruden