You bring up some good points Erez,

I doubt the epoxy is adding any appreciable amount of strength to the kayak. It’s an incomplete sandwich of sorts. I coated the frame to protect the wood and add strength to all the hundreds of joints and junctions. I have seen Spar varnish in spray can form at the mega building supply store. For my next kayak I plan on experimenting with this for protection from the elements.

Mike Hanks latest creation in SOF is only 27 lbs. He used a lighter frame construction, treated the frame with an oil (I think) and covered the frame with a 9oz nylon. (Hope I got all that right Mike)

My frame suffers from over build syndrome. The trestle could use 1/3 less diagonal braces. I also used cherry for 2 of my deck beams. I think I could build the same yak for 10 pounds less with some modifications and a synthetic skin.

All said, it seems strange that so much weight is being added because of the skin. Then again, I’m constantly amazed at how light a stripped boat is before its fiber glassed.

Roger

: your info is very interesting.

: for 41.5 lb we can get a reasonable s&g, can't we ?
: & it will be stronger.

: about sealing the frame with epoxy, it adds some weight but it also adds
: strength & protects the wood from the salt water, so the frame will live
: longer. I wouldn't give it up.

: I believe george roberts knows alot about saving weight. does anybody know
: if he is doing sof ?

: Erez