: Hi Myrl,
: The Cirrus I wired up is better quality luan than the other sh*% I used on
: the two Guillemots, and it didn't break apart on the ends. The Guillemot
: models also used the deck side panels, so I was stitching 6 panels instead
: of 4. The Cirrus was as easy or easier than the Chesapeake, having only 4
: panels. And the internal forms make it a snap to wire together. Also
: consider the size difference for these models, the Guillemots are 2.5 to
: 3.5 feet long, this Cirrus is 6 feet and is much easier. I don't think you
: would want build the Guillemot S&G without the forms. The latest thing I'm
: thinking about is to trace the forms and gut the center out, leaving only
: an inch or so, (1/4" Baltic Birch?) and permanently attaching them
: thru the designed plywood panels. On the Cirrus, I can't think of a better
: way of leaving the forms in while you the glass the hull (no wires). Other
: than stripping the boat while the hull is unfinished (still wired), and
: finishing the deck before you clip/pull your wires. I would think that by
: the time you stripped the deck, you would be a ripped-up, bloody mess. The
: other method, would be to pull the forms out once the inside is filleted,
: finish the inside/outside of hull, then use temp. deckbeams to construct
: the deck. That still makes the most sense to me.
: What do you think?
: SMF

HI Scott,

On My guillemot hybrid, I used the fillet (with no fiberglass tape) and temporary deck beams made from the stations to build the deck. It worked pretty well. I only finished the fillet, I did not tape, or glass any part of the Hull prior to building the deck. I would consider finishing up the hull before doing the deck next time, so it is more stiff, and does not flex under the weight of the deck as it is being built.

My 'Beams' sound like your new Idea... they were the stations hollowed out into arches and then joined inside my hull to form a skeleton. Wish I had a digitial camera, the skeleton is haning on the ceiling. Anyways, the stations are joined on the inside edge of the hollowed out stations, using left over strips. I just let them sit in the hull, with a staple (or three) holding the hull in place at the shear line. If I did this again I'd joint them better, with screws at the shear line. However Idealy the arches would become full stations (like a toroid). and I'd use hot melt glue, or weight to hold them down (no screw/stable holes in the hull that way)

I do not have any Cirrus plans, so I'm not sure exactly what the difference is, but I see no reason that it would not work for it as well. If you really need to leave the forms in, then maybe hotmelt glue could be used, then you can knock/pry them out later.

BTW. I have joined my hull and deck as of this weekend, finished the tape on the outside seam. It went to gether 'okay'... it was a bit of a grunt though. Not beacuse of my technique (except maybe not haveing the hull joind to the skeleton as well as I should have), but because of other mistakes.

well my now extreamly out dated web page is still up at http://www.cadvision.com/tantonm/kayak/kayak.html Cadvision has been bought out, and my service is lapsed... I can not update it:( , but it is still there . I really need to get internet at home again.

take care,

Myrl