Strip-built (SB) and Stitch
& Glue (S&G) are not the only methods to home-build
a kayak but are the ones I know. There are also several methods
of constructing "traditional" skin covered kayaks and
some other techniques for plywood and you can also use a mold.
I will not address these here. I'll stick too what I know.
The two building processes SB and S&G are quite different. In SB you bend narrow strips around a form. With S&G there is no form. You take shaped plywood panels, stitch them edge-to-edge, then glue them together. What this means is that with SB you can make smooth rounded shapes. With S&G you end up with angles running lengthwise for a "hard-chined" shape. Both shapes are good. Some people prefer a hard-chined boat.
Neither method produces a "better" boat. I prefer SB as it gives more design freedom (you can make it hard-chined if desired.), and looks nicer (plywood looks nice but strips of cedar, redwood and pine is beautiful). Weight for both is dependant on how much glass is used. S&G can get away with less glass and may be made somewhat lighter.
S&G is quicker. There is less setup involved and somewhat easier finish work. SB involves a series of easier steps but requires more patience. SB is more forgiving. A mistake will usually only waste a small strip of wood, where a mistake in S&G may destroy an expensive sheet of plywood. A serious mistake is less likely with SB. The following are outlines for each process:
The basic process for a strip built kayak is this (there is a more complete outline here):
For me the longest this process has ever taken is about three
months. The weight of these boats with a good protective layer
of glass is 45 lbs or less. Materials cost about $500-$600 total.
To see some pictures of this process here are pictures as I built a boat.
The basic process for Stitch & Glue is:
there are many possible variations from this method.
For me this process takes about 1 to 1 1/2 months worth of
weekends and evenings. Weight with glass on the bottom is about
40 lbs. Material cost about $250-$500.
I kept a journal as I built a stitch and glue kayak which can be found here.
Back to Kayak building page.
Search this web site.
Wooden Sea Kayak Designs
Email Guillemot Kayaks
© Nick Schade - All Rights Reserved