JEM Watercraft

Well I finally ordered my Laker 13 plans last night in the hope that I might be able to get it almost finished over the Christmas holidays (which is when many of us in Australia take our annual leave). Having waited so long in expectation of selling my boat first (which still hasn't happened ) I am now worried that the plans may not arrive in time due to the heavy load on the postal services at this time of year.

I have the free Laker plans which I downloaded for study purposes and wonder if I can use any parts of these to start marking out and cutting panels if my plans turn up too late. I get the impression that the front deck panels might be the same and possibly the bottom but this is only a guess based on comments and photos in the forums.

Can anyone fill me in on any parts that are identical? Even if the answer is not the one I want at least I'll know where I stand so any info is appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Cheers, Bob

Unfortunately, there's subtle differences in just about all the parts. But your plans will be in the mail tomorrow morning. Sorry.

No worries Matt - thanks for the reply.

There's still a chance the plans will arrive on time and if not then at least I'll have planty of time to get materials and organise the shed.

Almost getting excited now .

G'day Bob,

Good choice Mate!! Toldja it was easy (allmost too easy sometimes)

Mate, I have recieved plans from Matt in as little as 4 days and as long as up to a couple of weeks. A lot depends on our mail system here I think, but it usually averages out to about a week to 10 days from purchase till the plans are in my grubbly little paws.

Mate, this is a real good time to start looking for ply and epoxy etc. - and for setting up your work space.

Boatcraft pacific have some lovely 4mm pacific maple marine ply (genuine BS1088) at about $50.00 per sheet. They also have some real good deals on fibre-glass cloth.

Aust Wood Panels have similar ply but they also stock a real nice Luann in 4mm (interior grade) Both would be suitable to build a kayak with. Their ply is cosiderably cheaper than Boatcraft but not quite to the same very high standard. The Luann is slightly different in colour on each side but lovely stuff. I will only be buying it from now on.

Resin, I only use West Systems Epoxy, - 105 resin and 207 Special Purpose Hardener. It is by far the best epoxy I have ever used and wouldn't dream of trying something else.
ATL composites on the Gold Coast stock it (at reasonable prices) and Scott Alexander is the bloke to talk to. A real good bloke and knows his stuff. Be guided by what he tells you. They ship at reasonable cost and quickly.

As I think of stuff, will pass it on to you.

Laker is a great little kayak and I am certain you will be very happy with your choice.

good luck with the build mate and please share it with us.

Thanks Mick,

Material supplies in Adelaide are a bit of a problem but I'll get it sorted out. Prices are more than I originally budgeted for so it's starting to look like a $700 boat - but I guess that's more incentive to build it right

Lightweight is extremely important so I'm trying to find a really good ply but at a reasonable cost. Another Adelaide Jem builder gave me a source but when I called they did not have the same stuff available anymore, only more expensive types. Still have a few more places to try before making the decisions.

Mate, Do you have Bunings Hardware in Adelaide?

If so, have a look at their cheap interior grade 4mm ply. Be prepared to sort through a few to get good ones.

If not, run around to all the harware & timber suppliers in your area. You should be able to get satisfactory stuff for around $30.00 per sheet and you only need 3.

Re the local mob, I think I know who you are talking about i inquired with them when I first started this build your own thing and their quoted prices were absurd - to say the least. they put me off from building a ply boat for about 2 years.

If all else fails, you can still build a superb boat, just using exterior grade bracing ply.
At wors it will only be a few kilograms heavier. Because the ply is sooooo much stronger, you don't need to cover everything with fibreglass cloth. Stitch and tape would do plenty good enough. If you can manage a very few extra kilos, you can save a LOT of money on a super light boat.

I don't know what the current prices are but you should be able to build a Laker within the following budget.

Ply < $100.oo
Resin < $250.oo
Fibreglass < $100.oo

TOTAL <$500.00 - EASILY.

Rang AWP today and they said they only have 6mm or thicker in marine ply - no offer to look for anything else so they are off my list.

Bunnings had nothing in stock today and the stuff I saw there a couple of months back was rubbish.
Another local company has an interior grade 3mm hoop pine that looks good and is $28. Would this do if completely glassed?

On the subject of epoxy I have been making some practice pieces (joints etc) which seem strong and neat but trying to achieve a smooth top coat is difficult. Should it level out to be like glass or is it normal for the squeegee to leave lines like brush marks that need to be sanded out?

"TOTAL <$500.00 - EASILY.
Hhmmm....unfortunately I tend to add up all the other bits and pieces like sand paper, masking tape, drop sheets, wood flour, varnish etc. All you optimists out there probably think I'm a pessimist but I see myself as a realist. Paradoxically, I suspect that if I was really a realist I would realise that I'm really a pessimist. Confused? Me too

Thanks again for the advice so far.

LOL,

Mate, ya don't count sandpaper and stuff. Otherwise the missus would go NUTS.

Since I started on this caper, i have found that I "needed" a whole bunch of stuff that I could never have justified buying. (and the list is still growing.

But if you factor in about 100 bucks for the "other stuff, you should have it pretty much covered. Ya don't need to buy it all at once so it is never noticed.

Now when big boxes of stuff sort of magically arrive at the post office (particularly those sent from the US) My missus just roles her eyes and mutters something about"needing" a new dress or shoes etc etc. and promptly goes shopping.

I know exactly what you mean - and coincidentally I need a new sander to restore some furniture for the good lady, as well as a new drill so I can extend the chook yard........