I have stopped obsessing, and have ordered the kit from Fyne Boats. My garage is just long enough for the build (I hope), and the garden shed is just big enough to accommodate the completed kayak (I hope). The finished craft should look something like the photo.
The boat has been out for a few trips now (mostly on the Grand Union Canal), and is holding up well. It is a lot quicker than the white-water kayaks, but unsurprisingly has a much bigger turning circle. It still wants to go in a straight line even if ii is tipped over on its side a bit. I have made a couple of small modifications - some foam support for hips and thighs, a revision of the foot pegs (to allow for easy replacement or resizing), and finally a front bulkhead with a round, opening access hatch. The foot pegs are 3D printed in PETG and have a base bolted to the bulkhead and a top that presses on, which can be of different sizes.
I've unpacked the two boxes. Everything's here including wood, epoxy, fibreglass and all the fittings. The kit included a drain plug for one bulkhead, and a hatch cover for the other (unexpectedly). All the wood is marine ply, spruce (carlins, seat slats) or mahogany (rub rails). I ended up with a huge pile of cardboard from the packaging. The boat is quite big. I know exactly how big from all the photos, plans etc., but it now looks especially big in my garage. I have set up a long 'bench' down the middle of the garage - basically some lengths of 2" x 4" wood clamped between some saw benches. I have dry fitted the floor (base, bottom) of the boat and there is just enough room. I may have to 'borrow' some space from the end cupboard if I want to get around the ends (stern...bow..) at all. The first step is going to be gluing the two halves of the floor together - my first adventure with resin, hardener and cab-o-sil (I think that is what's in one ...
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