I am building a kayak to race in the Blackburn Challenge. This is a 20 mile rowing/paddling race around Cape Ann/Gloucester, Massachusetts. I looked around at some designs that I could modify to maximize the measurements to fit in the "Sea Kayak" class of the Sound Rower's classification system (http://soundrowers.org/BoatClasses.aspx). Namely, I wanted a boat with a length to width ratio of 9.25:1 (or slightly less). I also wanted a round or elliptical cross-section shape to minimize wetted surface. Upon further research I found some other races that use a classification system limited to 18 feet overall and the boat must have hatches. One further consideration was that the boat must accommodate my size 12 feet.

The boat I feel best fits my requirements is a modified Great Auk, designed by Nick Shade. As drawn the Great Auk has a length to width ratio of 8.66:1. Hence, I could stretch the length by a full foot to 17’8” Accordingly, I lofted the form plans from offsets published in Shade's book "The Strip Built Sea Kayak". I transferred the paper patterns to half inch thick MDF and cut them out. Laying out the forms on the internal strongback, I realized I could introduce a Swede form by compressing the aft forms by a graduated 4.5 inches and stretch the bow forms by a total of 16 inches. This gave me the extra foot of length and the Swede form.

Another modification I am making to the design is to create front deck cutaways to allow for a more vertical paddle stroke. A cheap and nasty laser allowed me to line up the cuts.

Something else I am doing is using polyurethane glue to hold the strips together. The pros of this adhesive is that it has a longer open working time than a PVA, it sands easier without clogging the sandpaper, and it foams up effectively filling gaps. I am hoping this foaming aspect will save some weight. The down side is that it turns your fingers black if you let it set on your fingers for more than a few minutes. I find that using GoJo hand cleaner immediately after clamping a strip helps a great deal.

The hull is western red cedar, the deck will be Northern white cedar. I hope to finish stripping the hull this weekend.

Photos on facebook
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=666362786730047&set=a.666362726730053.1073741830.100000689966046&type=3&theater