If you dream of your own kayak, but do not want to spend a lot of money on a ready-made model, you can try to build it yourself. On the Internet you will find many free boat building plans that show you step by step how to make a small kayak out of wood or plastic. In this article, we’ll walk you through the 7 steps you need to follow to create your very own kayak.
- Select a boat building plan. On sites such as https://www.instructables.com/ or https://www.paddling.com/ you will find many different boat building plans to suit your skill level and preferences. You can choose a simple or more complex kayak, single or double, open or closed. Make sure your plan lists the materials and tools you need, along with detailed instructions and drawings.
- Get the materials and tools you need. Depending on the boat building plan you choose, you will need different materials and tools to build your kayak. The most commonly used are pine or cedar wood, waterproof plywood, epoxy resin, fiberglass, paint and varnish. For tools you will need, among others, a circular or hand saw, drill, grinder, metal shears, brushes and paint rollers.
- Prepare the kayak parts. According to the boat building plan, cut out the individual parts of the kayak from wood or plywood, such as the bottom, sides, bow and stern. Mark on them the places of connection and the holes for screws or nails. Also prepare reinforcements of wood or metal to connect the parts of the kayak.
- Assemble the kayak parts. Using screws or nails and epoxy, join the kayak parts together according to the boat building plan. Make sure all connections are tight and tight. If you are creating a closed kayak, add a lid and hatch as well.
- Coat the kayak with fiberglass and epoxy. To make your kayak more durable and waterproof, cover it with a layer of fiberglass impregnated with epoxy resin. Trim the excess fiberglass and allow the resin to dry.
- Paint and varnish the kayak. To give the kayak an aesthetic appearance and additional protection against moisture and mechanical damage, paint it with weather-resistant paint and varnish it with boat varnish.
- Equip the kayak with the necessary accessories. To be able to safely and comfortably ride your kayak