Pulling a Strip-Built Boat from the Mold
Strip PlankingAfter weeks of layups, fairing and waiting, the moment of truth. Bob Emser of The Art of Boat Building pulls the Little Auk kayak from the mold for the first time, and she comes out clean.
In this episode you'll see exactly what a successful pull looks like, what to inspect the moment she's free, and what comes next in the build. This is the moment every boat builder lives for. In this video, he carefully releases his strip-planked Little Auk 11 from the mold, revealing the true shape that’s been hiding in plain sight all along. After hours of shaping, fairing, and fitting each cedar strip, the hull finally stands on its own light, strong, and full of character.
You’ll see the techniques used to safely separate the hull from the forms without damaging the delicate structure, along with a close look at the craftsmanship that goes into a small wooden kayak like this. It’s a satisfying and slightly nerve wracking step, but one that never gets old.
Looking for the professional tools Bob uses in this video? We've compiled a list, below of products mentioned throughout this video, as well as upgrades.
