Chris,

I built a Guillemot Exp Single last winter in my semi finished basement. I live in the Boston area so send me an e-mail if you would like to see it.

I bought a kit from Newfound Woodworks including the strips, forms, and all the fiberglass supplies. Clearly it is more expensive (>50% more) this way but at the time it was worth it to me to get going and finish by spring. If I were to do it again I would cut most of the strips my self but I have a table saw and a router.

I did fiberglass in the winter in my basement without any apparent fumes problems in the rest of the house. It is a messy endevor so you'll need to make sure to protect the rug from dust, shavings, glue, and epoxy. I was careful to use a resperator when using epoxy.

Convincing the wife is one of the bigest problem I faced. I times my purchase with a big cash bonus I recieve from work. The tougher issues is that it can take from 150hrs-300hrs to finish the thing. Carving out that time from our already busy schedule can create a lot of tension. I worked it out by working mostly late at night and early mornings on week ends.

Go For It!

Jack

> Hello all,

> I am a new to kayaking, semi-competent with tools, looking for a new
> hobby. I found some pointers to the guillemot web page on
> alt.boat.paddling and got very excited. I bought and read most of Nick
> Schade's book and am now deciding if I should take the plunge into (what
> seems by this BBS to be very addictive) strip kayak building. I'm
> concidering the Guillemot. After reading the chatter in this BBS I have a
> few questions:

> 1) Cost of wood - I read a message that indicated that $30 wood was enough
> for a boat and another message that said $70 of wood = $3000 of strips.
> What would I expect to pay for enought pre-cut strips for Guillemot. I
> dont own a table or band saw, so to cut my own boards I would need to buy
> one (or find somewhere else to do this). How long would this take for a
> novice?

> 2) Do I have any chance of accuratly creating form templates from the
> table of numbers or will I save huge time and agravation by buying plans/
> precut forms.

> 3) If cove and Bead boards are not used, are the straight edges planed to
> close the gaps on the outside of the boat?

> 4) Im just north of Boston, any suggestions for kit/supply stores.

> 5) I have a finished basement that no one uses. It is carpeted and has a
> stairway leading to the rest of house with a door at the top. If I cover
> the floor (tarps, maybe plywood) would I be ok or am I asking for trouble?
> fumes, dust...I have a garage....but its very cold right about now.

> Thanx for the help, Im pretty sure Im gonna jump in, but costs may require
> some wife convincing.