: So I am building a Morris style SOF and am starting to ponder the
: coaming. I have been looking at the yost style coaming with an
: attached base plate. My thinking is because I am a heavier
: paddler it might be a bit more secure. I was going to attach the
: base plate and brace it on the edges from the gunwhales. When
: skinning I would staple the skin to the top of the attached
: coaming and then poly it. After that is complete I will epoxy
: and brass screw the top plate and coaming lip. Anyone see
: problems with this?

: Thanks
: Stefan

I have never built a Morris SOF, and I don't have the book in front of me, but I have done several Yost-style kayaks similar to the way you described, and also one using a floating laminated coaming. The main disadvantage to the base plate approach, in my opinion, is that it adds unnecessary weight. As long as you take a little care getting in and out to put your weight on the aft end of the coaming, where it is resting on a frame or deckbeam, it should be fine. You can also put your hands out to either side on the gunwales to help support your weight.

If you do go ahead with the base plate, I would definitely not epoxy the top plate to it. The epoxy will make it difficult or impossible to take it apart when you re-skin. Just use a good marine caulk instead. The coaming lip can be epoxied to the top plate, however, since you are unlikely to ever disassemble them. Also, you can run your brass or stainless screws from underneath the base plate up into the top plate so the heads are not seen. Finally, use Monel or stainless staples to attach the skin to the base plate.

Good luck!

Jeff