: I have considered using the normal riser, then bending strips in
: the normal way, but either making them flush with the deck or in
: a triangular profile so there is not a sharp angle around which
: I need to wrap the 'glass. I may make the lip a bit taller in
: the front than normal, as there is not a lot of room between the
: bow and th estart of the cockpit (~24 inches). I have also been
: considering shaping the front of the coaming in a sloped shape
: to help have the water run off.

: Any thoughts?

: bvs

The lip is useful to strengthen the coaming, deflect water and to grab. A spray skirt keeps you dry in the rain and warm in cold weather.

It's not just for rolling and doing hairball stuff.

If you make the coaming from strips (tedious) fiberglass is necessary to add strength to the soft wood.

If you make your coaming of hardwood, coating with epoxy is sufficient.

A very easy and quick way to make a coaming is to bend hardwood with a heat gun.

See me bending a coaming of 1/4" mahogany at the bottom of this page.- http://www.laughingloon.com/shop.tips.html

Get a clear, straight grained, bending hardwood (ash is best) and cut it to 2" by 1/4" pieces. Make a line drawing of your coaming shape for reference
and bend the hardwood to shape clamping one end in a vise and working the bend to the other end, or work from each end to the center.

Bend one piece for each side of your coaming and an extra piece to cut slices off for the lip and glue these to your riser to make the lip after the riser is in place.

Take another two slices off the extra bent coaming shape and start your coaming construction by gluing them under your deck to act as a base to clamp your riser to.

Finish this hardwood coaming by applying three coats of epoxy, sand smooth and apply two more coats of epoxy, then varnish.

I bet your dad would look good in a skirt!

All the best,
Rob