A different kind of model - A Kayak

[RC-Archer]

If you have been wondering if there could ever be anything better than model boats, YES! Full sized boats! Anyway, over the Christmas holidays, I acquired a vintage 60's 70's Folbot kayak. 17" skin and wood frame kayak at about 75 lbs. But alas it has spent a few years out under the harsh and cruel sun and rain. The guy who gave it to me spent last summer boating around with the holes duct taped up and then finally decided to let me have it.

[RC-Archer]

So I've been spending the last month or so stripping the kayak down. This is what the kayak looks like without it's vinyl/canvas skin.

[RC-Archer]

I've taken the kayak apart and I'm currently sanding and stripping the old paint off. I'm going to refinish the old plywood parts with epoxy and varnish. Here is one of the parts that I'm refinishing.

[RC-Archer]

After sanding, stripping and washing the parts, this is what I have left.

[RC-Archer]

Something is not quite right.......I think I should have used cold water.......

[RC-Archer]

Actually while I had the kayak apart, I traced the parts into CAD and then sent the file off to a laser cutter. Now I can make a 1/4 scale model of my full sized kayak. My full sized kayak has a sail rig that goes with it so there is a chance that I will make a 1/4 scale R/C sailing kayak. So while I'm trapped indoors under the full crush of winter, I'll work on the model when I'm not working on my full sized kayak.

[jeepers1940]

I well remember the Folbot ads in Field & Stream magazine in the 1950's. I always thought they were a really neat boating concept, and still do for that matter. Keep us posted on both your boats.

[Kmot]

That's very cool! A model of your full size boat. Nice pooch too! ;)

[Brooks]

Cover in clear material to reveal the beautiful wood frame. I think there are home-built airplanes covered in clear, or at least translucent, fabric (after doping). With airplanes you have to be careful of UV degredation of the fabric, so most are given coats of Al powder filled paint. But I recall seeing an antique reproduction in a magazine with near clear covering that skipped the Al paint layer. Contact aircraft supply houses for materials/ideas.

[Shaun Hendricks]

Celophane would work well for the model Kayak, or better yet, clear iron-on shrink material.

For the full-size one, I think there are Kayak's out there that use 'fasten on' skins. Snaps, Velcro, tie down or other technique that lets you remove and clean the skin off the kayak as well as show off the frame when it's not in the water. You can also vacuum seal the skin in a package to protect it from critters, weather and bad stuff in the air.

Some rubber or other 'stretchy' products might work well also. You can use waterproof zippers to literally 'zip' your fullsize kayak skin on. That would take some sewing engineering though.

Lots of options. Both of them look great. Try not to use a material susceptible to shrinkage next time. :D

[Hoghappy]

...don't let Capt. Sunshine see this...she has been bugging me to go to the river and Kayak with her ever since we met.

I did not know that they could be fitted with sail! :cool:

Capt. Crash

[RC-Archer]

Brooks, the material that you're refering to is called Dacron and yep, same stuff used for sails.

Shaun, Folbots and Feathercraft make folding kayaks in which the skin comes off and the frames break down. The whole kayak could fit into a golf bag. My particular kayak model does not break down but they did have a model just like mine that did break down.

[RC-Archer]

...don't let Capt. Sunshine see this...she has been bugging me to go to the river and Kayak with her ever since we met.

I did not know that they could be fitted with sail! :cool:

Capt. Crash

Who is Capt Sunshine and where can I show her my kayak? ;)

Yep, most of the major kayak companies have some sort of sailing kit for their kayaks. My particular kayak uses two leeboards and a rudder and was sloop rigged. The modern folding kayaks uses amas outriggers and a single batwing type of sail.

Watch for pictures of the model with a clear skin......

[RC-Archer]

That's very cool! A model of your full size boat. Nice pooch too! ;)


Thanks! Her name is Honey and one of these days, I'm going to make a R/C controlled stick for her to fetch. :D

[RC-Archer]

Here is the kayak with a clear skin on it. Like it? Me, I'm lukewarm to it. Buddy and I were talking about using clear vinyl on the full sized Kayak and after seeing the model, I'm not so hot to the idea.

While you're here admiring my kayak, anybody have any ideas on a R/C paddling kayaker?

[Kmot]

That is not really clear. Sort of semi-opaque. What did you use? I believe the clear Monokote coverings are 'crystal' clear.

[RC-Archer]

That is not really clear. Sort of semi-opaque. What did you use? I believe the clear Monokote coverings are 'crystal' clear.

Doculam, It is clear, just looks cloudy from the flash.