Getting Ready for the High Capacity Great Auk

It was the first week of the year when the commitment to build a strip built kayak was made. On the 9th this year Angie ordered me the blue print plans for the new Kayak.

I worked in the shop getting it ready while I awaited my plans.

One of the things you need to build a wooden Kayak is a Strongback. A Strongback is essentially an inner "back bone" that holds the "ribs" (forms) of the kayak while you are stripping it.

I made the strong back as described in Nicks Book. I wasn't sure how long it needed to be since I had not received my plans yet, so I made it 20' long to start with.

The High Capacity Great Auk has 18' overall Length. After re-reading some of the books again, it was determined that nicks plans call for a strong back that is 2'1" shooter than the overall boat length. So I cut my strong back down o the right size later

I have attached some photos of the strong back and the saw horses I built while waiting on the plans to arrive.

The Strongback measures out at 1 15/16" X 2 15/16". So it is basically like a real 2X4 should be.