An overdue wordspill

Made mention of building a Yak. Well, maybe a touch more than a ‘mention’ but,,,

Anywhoos, someone asked me “why” recently and I had to wrack my skull for an answer. At the time, my answer was, ‘It’s complicated and I’m using my hands”.

Its more than that, though still complicated. I am putting to practice skills I actually picked up from building model airplanes. Some of the building techinques are paralleled here, skin on frame boats are very similar to box and rag planes. In some cases, the materials are even the same, though of different weights. One guy building his boats uses a heavier canvas and aircraft dope, so there is something there where one borrowed from the other then back again.

The other side of this, and I think this is where the real drive comes from, is how each is experianced. One is vicarious, the other is first person. I can ‘fly’ my planes, but I definitely paddle my kayak: the lure is far more personal. Even with FPV, there is still that disconnect between the plane and I, where with the Yaks,,,

And there is the side of me that wants to see just how frugal I can be and still come out with a top notch boat. (And believe me, its really low dollar so far.) I could go even cheaper, but the longevity of said boat would be cut in half or less. I had thought about the canvas and helmspar varnish route, but from others reviews, a year tops for that stuff.

And there is the possibility of others asking for me to build them one, and while I ain’t holding my breath on it, it is out there. (And they will be charged my time, which I am not accounting for my boat.) (Though I am tracking it to some extent.)

And building stuff is a whole helluvalot more interesting and satisfying than dwelling over swampy District of Criminals issues. I’m still watching, assessing, and modifying plans accordingly, but I can’t stop this trainwreck, and at this stage, wouldn’t want to try. Let it derail, and just try to clean up after the fact.

But, a little progress for you

Those are Deck beams that I am laminating and bending. One done-ish, the other in chains curing. I need 4 curved and 3 flat, so, I am getting something made while getting the rest gathered up. Wood is clear grained red oak, and the piece finished is quite strong,yet still lightweight. Length is more than I need,and tenons need cut, when I have the gunwales set in the jigs and not one moment sooner.