I am currently interested in building SOF kayaks from strip-built form boards with the center cut out and the chines notched for 1x1 stringers running full length. This is the same method that Julio MacDonald(?) did with his old/used temporary forms for the Guillemot S&G he built. Below is the best picture to explain what I'm trying to say borrowed from Julio on the Guillemot site.
This past weekend I built the frame for a 5 foot version just like this in just a couple hours while on a camping trip with my family. In planning for this trip, my wife and my neighbor's wife made some stupid rule about "NO POWERTOOLS". So I figured I would try a SOF. Sorry I have no pictures yet.
Now for the questions:
1. Has anyone else tried this method. (I tried to contact Julio, no luck, old email).
2. What type/size of materials would anyone recommend for the forms & stringers? (I would like to go ultra-light, but I weigh 200lbs and may end up using it in some rough conditions, but mostly day trips in small lakes). I thought of using very thin plywood reinforced with strips of glass/carbon.
3. If I were to use a fairly dark colored paint, could I use 18g galv. brad nails or screws to secure the stringers to these forms without lashing?
4. The Guillemot S&G forms are easy to use, because of the hard chines. Would it be possible to do the same exact thing with any kayak design? How would you mark the position of the stringers on a more rounded design? Would you have more stringers? I'm thinking about a skinned Little Auk, is that possible?
5. How difficult is it to stitch the skin on a skin-on-frame kayak?
I'm sure I have more questions, but rushed for time, I gotta go.
Thanks in advance, and hopefully I'll take pictures during lunch break.
SMF