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Step 7Hatch and Bulkhead
To make the hatch I chose the hexagon shape because it was easiest to draw out. I just used a straight edge and a large washer to draw around the corners. When it looked right, I cut out the hatch. Be careful though; the cut out section becomes the hatch lid. Sand the edges smooth.
Since the lid will now fall thru the opening I have to build up a place where the lid can rest. I glued two layers of plywood under the deck. The first layer is a spacer layer, and the second layer is wider to allow for weather stripping to go around the hatch. The weather stripping of course prevents water from entering the hatch. For the first layer, cut two 'C' shapes about an inch and half thick that conform to the hatch opening. Then cut the second layer the same shape but add width for the weather striping. Coat the pieces in epoxy then clamp them in place. I also squished thickened epoxy into the cracks.
Bulkheads in a kayak add strength to the entire structure, and also provide a water barrier. It's basically just a wall inside the boat. If you get a leak in one part of the boat the bulkhead will prevent the water from flooding the entire craft.
My bulkhead was somewhat of an after thought and since it's a smaller boat I only added one right behind the cockpit. The shape involved a bit of guesswork. I measured the panels where the bulkhead would go and sketched out what I thought would be the right shape on plywood. After cutting it out, I tried placing it inside the boat where it should go, but it didn't fit. I then started trimming it down until it fit in the right spot. I painted it with epoxy and used thickened epoxy to seal any gaps around the edge.
Since the lid will now fall thru the opening I have to build up a place where the lid can rest. I glued two layers of plywood under the deck. The first layer is a spacer layer, and the second layer is wider to allow for weather stripping to go around the hatch. The weather stripping of course prevents water from entering the hatch. For the first layer, cut two 'C' shapes about an inch and half thick that conform to the hatch opening. Then cut the second layer the same shape but add width for the weather striping. Coat the pieces in epoxy then clamp them in place. I also squished thickened epoxy into the cracks.
Bulkheads in a kayak add strength to the entire structure, and also provide a water barrier. It's basically just a wall inside the boat. If you get a leak in one part of the boat the bulkhead will prevent the water from flooding the entire craft.
My bulkhead was somewhat of an after thought and since it's a smaller boat I only added one right behind the cockpit. The shape involved a bit of guesswork. I measured the panels where the bulkhead would go and sketched out what I thought would be the right shape on plywood. After cutting it out, I tried placing it inside the boat where it should go, but it didn't fit. I then started trimming it down until it fit in the right spot. I painted it with epoxy and used thickened epoxy to seal any gaps around the edge.
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Jul 2, 2011. 12:36 PMmdshann
says:
Maybe a cardboard template would have made the bulkhead easier to fit. This is a very nice boat though, my Dad and brother built 2 of them a couple of years ago, they did it in the basement and didn't realize that they would not be able to turn them at the top of the steps to get them out of the house! Luckily there is a window across from the steps they had to take it out to get the boats out.
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Jun 21, 2011. 8:13 PMitsandbits1
says:
great job on the clamps; and not because I have to say so because of the constructive criticism policy, which is pure stupidity, go ahead, ban me
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