: I'm planning to remove the deck on one of my S&G 17' sea kayaks
: and replace it with a strip-built one. I like the general shape
: of the S&G deck, but the cockpit's just way too big,
: especially too wide. I've been thinking of just using the
: existing deck, still attached to the hull but with the cockpit
: rim gone, as a mould, rather than fiddling around trying to make
: up forms on which to build the new strip deck.

: Once the new deck is glassed outside, it would be removed from the
: old one, and glassed inside. The old deck would then be cut out,
: and the new mounted to either the existing sheer clamps or
: slightly lower replacements. If anyone sees a reason why this
: wouldn't work, advice would be greatly appreciated...

This might work. The downside will be that the joint between the hull and the new deck will have to be cobbled somehow to make them fit. Normally the forms are undersized to compensate for the strip's thickness, which you can't do with your existing deck, so it'll have to be made oversized then fit to the hull after the old deck is removed. Not impossible but not simple either.

Bill H.