Re: [Paddlewise] K1 assembly

----- Original Message -----
From: "Robert Woodard" <woodardr_at_tidalwave.net>>

> Does anyone have any tips on getting the frame centered inside the hull of
a
> Feathercraft K1 during assembly? I end up spending a good deal of time
> fidgeting with trying to get the keel bar and deck bar centered on the
> fabric, only to have it nowhere close when I do the final spreading of the
> bars in the cockpit. This results in having to loosen the bars again and
> fidget for another 10-15+ minutes trying to get it centered again.
>
> The entire boat goes together effortlessly except for this one issue,
which
> I'm spending a good 20+ minutes on in construction time. Any tips/tricks
> from the expert folder community is most appreciated!

I believe what you are saying is that the frame halves go in okay, i.e.
well-centered when just the halves are finally in.  But that in the process
of extending the keel and side bars, the frame twists inside the hull to an
off center position. If this is not the case, skip the next few paragraphs
and go to one that starts with the words COME HERE.

A couple of thoughts, one quite unorthodox:

1. I believe there are velcro ties to tie down the frame at the keel; they
are located out of sight about 18 inches or so underdeck; this is in
addition to a velcro tie dead center in the cockpit.  I can't remember if
that is true of the K-1 but it is of the Kahuna and K-Light.  Have you
closed those velcro loops to hold the frame halves in position?

2. Have you tried to do the extension in the pattern suggested by
Feathercraft ( I think it is first extend the keel then the gunwales, then
the chines) i.e. don't do all the extensions on the port or starboard sides
all at once.  If you have done the sequence as suggested by Feathercraft,
try doing the sequence in another order say extend keel, then chines, then
gunwales.  Often when people are having trouble with a specific boat, if
they switch the assembly sequence it can help.

Now to my unorthodox suggestion:  when the frame halves are in the boat,
partly inflate the sponsons.  The idea is to tighten the skin enough to keep
the frame halves from twisting when you do the extensions.  Inflating the
sponsons may hinder extension some, so do it in some increments starting say
from half inflated sponsons to less inflated sponsons.  This may help.  I
have never tried this suggestion but I have not had that twisting problem.

COME HERE.  If you are having problems getting the frame halves to go in
straight as you shove each one in, you may want to try the motion in which
one uses a handsaw, i.e. go in and out a few inches at a time.  Some models
of folding kayaks absolutely demand that you put the frame halves in this
way, most specifically the Nautiraids as they have external sponsons and the
fit of frame to skin is tighter than on an internal sponsoned folding kayak.

Also if this is the case (that frame halves are not going in straight) you
may want to do it from the other side of the boat, i.e. switch your position
from starboard to port or vice versa.  People definitely have different
strength in their right and left arm as well as different finesse and touch
with each arm.  Normally it shouldn't matter but in some case it can
especially with stronger individuals.  Try with your weaker arm.

Oh, one last thought: when you shove the frame halves in are they really all
the way in, i.e. can you feel that the frame is fully inserted into both
ends.  You may want to assure yourself of this not only by feeling the skin
at the bow and stern but also by getting into the cockpit and pushing the
frame halves further in with your feet.  This was once a necessity with the
older hulls with cordura decks that shrunk (worked also on the Feathercraft
Klondike double).  The fuller the frame halves are in, the less tendency for
the frame to twist as you do the extending.

best,

ralph diaz
--
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter
PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024
Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com
"Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------


***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed
here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire
responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author.
Submissions:     PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net
Subscriptions:   PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************