Hello all,
No need for a rain dance, just start working on a kayak outdoors and blue skies begin to give way! OK, so there was a chance of rain today and maybe I didn't cause it but it sure seemed that way.

Just started working on my kayak again this weekend. I had to--Kurt and Leslie aren't updating their site as much and I have to do something with the spare time. When my boat grows up it wants to look as nice as theirs turned out.

I have removed most of the stitches from the hull. I left them in around the area that was damaged last December until all the repairs are made. I did some light sanding and the hull looks really nice (form wise). I lightly sanded the one bottom panel that was reversed and it helped blend it to look like the other. More and more though I am leaning to painting the kayak. I really like what I've seen when others paint theirs.

I installed a small strip on one side to repair a crack in the side panel. It mimics the side panel and is about 18" long. It should hold up just fine. The break occured to the rear of the rear bulkhead by about 30". I really got a good look at the crack and it occured right where my scarf joint ended. I probably had a void there I didn't know about. Once that has cured up then I'll fix the cracks where the sides meet the bottom on both sides. They are not too hateful and a little chipout of the existing epoxy should make room for some new beads. These are the areas where I left stitches in place. I was very surprised how easily my other stitches were removed.

Also today I managed to cut out almost all the pieces for my coaming before the rain. I saw that seat thread earlier this week on the board (looks like a potato chip) and really like it. I am thinking about doing that for my kayak. I plan on making a spray skirt so the thread on that is very interesting to me also. So I guess it's time to order some tape and cloth. I have been using RAKA epoxy and I am going to use them for the tape and cloth also.

Ah, I see the front has pushed through and the rain has stopped. Who knows maybe I'll get some more work in today. Tommorrow is going to be in the high 50's but not rainy so I should be able to do some work then. I hope to work a little bit each weekend and maybe one or two nights a week. I am glad to be back on it.

Oh yeah, almost forgot. I couldn't help it and I was oh so careful. I sat in the kayak. I had the bulkheads temporarily set in and I supported the cockpit area. I just had to try it out. Anyway, when I did that it seems that my feet will sit in such a way as not to need footpegs. Also bear in mind I am an extreme begineer (not to mention a lousy typer--make that beginner and for that matter is typer even a word?). Maybe I will need them and do not know realize it yet due to my inexperience. My feet touch the forward bulkhead and the kayak is narrow enough that I can brace my knees on the sides--seems to be good enough. Hmmm.....I'd better be sure because it would be a lot easier to install foot pegs now than later, right? Does anybody else out there not use footpegs?

I'll post some pics when I get to a more complete point. Thanks for all the good info everyone.

--Tony