: I'm just now finally getting around to skinning the greenland kayak
: I started last fall (very exciting!).

: I'm wondering about adding a "deck beam" (not the right
: term?) which runs parallel to the centerline of the kayak and
: sits on top of the regular deck beams. I've seen a lot of
: skin-on-frame yaks that have this, it seems like it would make
: the deck shed water much more easily as the deck takes a kind of
: tent shape instead of just being flat. I'm a fairly big guy as
: well so I've got a pretty wide boat and am concerned that I'll
: be constantly having water pooling up on the rear deck where
: it's big and flat.

: Should I be worried about water pooling on deck, will the center
: deck beam help? Will it cause any problems I haven't thought
: about? Would it be worth my while to add one to the front deck
: as well (in front of the arched deck beams)?

: I'm imagining it would start at the second deck beam aft of the
: cockpit so there's still a good seat on the rear deck and the
: back of the coaming can still rest directly on the lateral deck
: beam.

: Thanks,
: Luke

: Look at the front deck on Brian Schulz's F1, but on the rear deck:
: http://www.capefalconkayak.com/kayak%20and%20paddle%20designs.html

Hi Luke,
I've never noticed any water pooling on the deck of my greenland style kayak, they don't stay still enough on the water. :)
Mine has two flat stringers that runs from the beam at the aft of the cockpit to the next one back, overhanging that one by a few inches. It's there to support the skin when I'm getting in and out. It doesn't raise the skin above the gunwale height, though.

Mike Savage
South West Cork