It's been a while...

Well David, here I am as you requested.
Worked on the kayak last week and got the outside of the lower hull fiberglassed, just in time for the heat to crank up again and be too hot to work the epoxy.
There's a cold front coming later this week...

Quick update

Not a shred left...

As you know, I am a huge fan of motor sports be it NASCAR, Formula 1, IRL, Grand-Am or even lawnmower racing (yes, there is such a thing). If it has an internal combustion engine and at least two people are competing, I am a fan. I am amazed at the skills the teams and drivers have to push those vehicles to their limits and their own skills to the ragged edge.
Except for one driver. Kyle Busch.
I feel like he is a snotty nose brat who pouts when he doesn't win. And when he does win, he rubs it in your face. You know... a JERK!!
I didn't think I had any respect left for the guy, but given what he did last night after winning the race in Nashville I have not a shred of respect left for him.
When he got out of his car in victory circle they handed him the trophy, a Gibson guitar hand painted by Sam Bass. What a fantastic trophy and I bet there are hundreds of drivers all over the country who would LOVE to win that prize.
Kyle Busch smashed it on the ground.
Not once. Three times. Then threw it aside like it was nothing.
His reasoning??? Because rock stars do it after their performance.
I'm sorry, Kyle Busch, you are not a rock star. You are a race car driver. Maybe it's time you take a lesson from some true racing legends like Mark Martin, John Force and Benny Parsons. These men accepted both winning and losing with respect for the sport, fans and fellow drivers. And you should too.
When was the last time you saw a hockey play throw the Stanley Cup on the ice?
Idiot...

Strange day...

What a whacky weekend. Started off Friday with my kidney stones kicking my ass and putting on the sofa all afternoon and evening. Emily came over and made me some mac and cheese which is my favorite "I'm sick" food. Other than that I don't remember much because of the AWESOME pain killers my doctor has me on. Woohoo!!
Then today I wake up feeling fine!! I'm not complaining but what's up with that? I guess those stones have a mind of their own. So I thought I would cut the lawn this morning but it started raining about 8am and it hasn't let up.
I was forced to work on the kayak instead. Oh well!!!
I got the entire hull planed out and assembled. There are about 300 copper wire stiches holding it together. Which means I drilled about 600 1/16" holes to put them in.

This is the bow. It was rather difficult to fit together and get the wire installed. Lots of cutting and adjusting on the small tip ends of the plywood.

And this is a shot from the stern. It was kind of a bitch too but I got it worked out.
Next step, fiberglassing...

Finally started putting it together...

Hull lay up.

Kinda looks like a mini canoe...

Peace and quiet...

I got up early and took the kayak out for a short trip on the Rainbow River this morning.



I love living in Florida...

Baseball feaver...

Catch it...

Class is in session...

I finally have all those "busy work" projects and I can get back to my kayak building. Today I was able to begin turning 8 foot long pieces of mahogany into 16 foot long pieces. I got the scarf cuts ready to join together and I have glued the first three "planks". I have 6 more to make but I only feel comfortable laying up three at a time. The one picture is an example of completed scarf cuts from my first kayak project. The process is the same no mater what so I'm borrowing an old picture. The other is the the long pieces glued and clamped.
Move over...

WTF?!?...

Only the Washington Nationals have worse game winning average than my Rays. I don't know what to think about this mess. Evan Longoria is leading the league in slugging and Carlos Pena is tops in OB percentage.
Where oh where is the defense?...

What's the deal...

I've lost another friend. Second one this year.
The funeral is tomorrow and it's not going to be an easy one to sit through.
Godspeed, Bob Young.
You will be missed...