> Hi all

> I'm relatively new to kayaking but see that building my own kayak will be
> both a realization of a dream and also the only affordable way to own it.
> I participate in adventure races that incorporate paddling legs and am
> looking for plans for a surf-ski or fast single kayak to build using foam
> stripping (yes, I realize that I'll lose the beautiful look of the wood,
> but I am experienced with this method from sailing dinghy building and
> suspect I can make it very light as well). Any ideas are welcomed. Thank
> you.

Foam stripping, eh? Having read Nick's book on stripping, I can easily see how this method could quickly make a kayak using forms. I've been looking at quick and easy ways to test a shortened version of the Great Auk (~ 13 ft. range) for my 6 & 8 year old daughters, but not invest all the wood work until they are ready for full size models. I have my hands full with a Ches. 17 currently and will look into a full size S&G or strip model next for the wife.

After you strip your forms with foam, do you lay it up with fiberglass? Does the foam adhere to epoxy/glass or do you deliberately release it like a mold? I don't have any experience laying up fiberglass on a mold or non-wood form such as this. Where can I learn more about this method? Thanks. ~~} - Paul