Do it Yourself Kayak Building

Building a kayak is a challenging endeavor. Ut takes time, money, space, and above all, patience. For the dedicated kayaker or boat-builder, however, the end result is worth the effort. As you browse the different options for construction and materials, consider your available work space, time and the level of effort you'd like to put into the kayak project.

  1. Kayak Kits

    • For the first-time kayak builder, a kit is usually the best option. Kayak kits come with all of the necessary materials, patterns and instructions to complete the kayak project; you will be able to start immediately instead of struggling with design details and boat shape. A full kit usually includes the wood, which is pre-cut or in sheets with printed patterns, the fasteners and any surface coatings. The more adventurous beginner can consider a kayak kit that includes only the plans and pattern for the boat. This option is cheaper, and requires that you purchase the construction materials separately. Guillemot Kayaks is an excellent online resource for kayak kits. Kayak kits range in price from $85 for a basic set of plans to $1,000 for a kit with all materials included.

    Construction Methods

    • The two most common methods of do-it-yourself kayak building are stitch-and-glue and strip-built. To build a stitch-and-glue kayak, you will use large pieces of wood held together by wire (the "stitching") and sealed with a waterproof sealant (the "glue"). This method allows more room for error, and is suitable for beginners. The strip-built kayak uses thin strips of wood laid along a set of forms to form the kayak hull and top; this option is considerably more difficult and requires careful attention to detail. The final product, however, is stunning. Plans for both are available online at sites like Nick's Kayak Building Pages. For a stitch-and-glue kayak, you can expect to spend at least $300 US dollars on materials; for a strip-built kayak, the price will be closer to $500 on the low end.

    Tools and Workspaces

    • When building a kayak, you will need a large indoor space that will accommodate the full length of the boat with room to move around the edges. Consider clearing out your garage, basement or workshop, and remember that the area will need to be used continuously for a significant period of time. You will also need wire cutters, brushes for fiberglass application, a hand-held saw (electric or manual) to cut out boat pieces and a drill.

    Workshops

    • If you are working on a tighter schedule or would like personal supervision during the kayak-building process, consider enrolling in a workshop or class. The instructor will provide step-by-step instructions, and can offer helpful tips and advice to improve your kayak. Courses generally take place over a concentrated period of time, and include all materials and tools; however, the finished kayaks often require an additional fee to purchase. Costs vary; Bear Mountain Boats, for example, offers weeklong kayak building workshops for $950 Canadian dollars. Boats are raffled at the end of the course for the cost of the materials.