Boatbuilding Tips
Our vast collection of boatbuilding tips, drawn from decades of experience in supporting backyard boatbuilders.
![Petrel Build: 09 Fitting the Closing Strip [video]](http://clcboats.com/cdn/shop/articles/clc-the-closing-strip.png?v=1728317485&width=533)
Petrel Build: 09 Fitting the Closing Strip [video]
Nick Schade writes: After working diligently on stripping the bottom you eventually come to a time when there is just one strip left. If you are using cove and bead...
Petrel Build: 09 Fitting the Closing Strip [video]
Nick Schade writes: After working diligently on stripping the bottom you eventually come to a time when there is just one strip left. If you are using cove and bead...
Petrel Build: 08 Stripping up the Bottom [video]
Nick Schade writes: Stripping the bottom is much like installing the cheater strips, with the major difference that you need to shape and fit both ends of the strip so...
Petrel Build: 08 Stripping up the Bottom [video]
Nick Schade writes: Stripping the bottom is much like installing the cheater strips, with the major difference that you need to shape and fit both ends of the strip so...
Petrel Build: 07 Installing the Keel Strips [vi...
Nick Schade writes: On this Petrel I chose to do a "side herringbone" stripping pattern on the bottom. This involves running strips down the keel line and then filling in...
Petrel Build: 07 Installing the Keel Strips [vi...
Nick Schade writes: On this Petrel I chose to do a "side herringbone" stripping pattern on the bottom. This involves running strips down the keel line and then filling in...
![Strip Planking 02: Cutting & Milling Cedar Strips [video]](http://clcboats.com/cdn/shop/articles/Screenshot_2025-12-18_at_4.54.15_PM.png?v=1766094999&width=533)
Strip Planking 02: Cutting & Milling Cedar Stri...
Nick Schade writes: This is my setup for milling strips. I use a Delta Unisaw, with a Freud "Diablo" blade, the fence is the Delta "Unifence". I've got a couple...
Strip Planking 02: Cutting & Milling Cedar Stri...
Nick Schade writes: This is my setup for milling strips. I use a Delta Unisaw, with a Freud "Diablo" blade, the fence is the Delta "Unifence". I've got a couple...
![Strip Planking 03: Ripping and Sorting Cedar Strips [video]](http://clcboats.com/cdn/shop/articles/clc-ripping-sorting-strips.png?v=1766095172&width=533)
Strip Planking 03: Ripping and Sorting Cedar St...
Nick Schade writes: The 2" strips were too wide for the kayak I am building so I ripped them in thirds. I will be "book matching" the strips on the...
Strip Planking 03: Ripping and Sorting Cedar St...
Nick Schade writes: The 2" strips were too wide for the kayak I am building so I ripped them in thirds. I will be "book matching" the strips on the...
![Strip Planking 04: Shaping Internal Stems for Strip-Built Kayaks [video]](http://clcboats.com/cdn/shop/articles/clc-shaping-kayak-inner-stem.png?v=1766095228&width=533)
Strip Planking 04: Shaping Internal Stems for S...
Nick Schade writes: I pre-shape the internal stems before installing them on the forms. I start with an over-sized piece of wood so I have material to hold on to...
Strip Planking 04: Shaping Internal Stems for S...
Nick Schade writes: I pre-shape the internal stems before installing them on the forms. I start with an over-sized piece of wood so I have material to hold on to...
Petrel Build: 03 Assembling Forms [video]
Nick Schade writes: The easiest way to set up the forms for woodstrip kayak is using an internal strongback. Here I use a 2" x 4" x 13' aluminum extrusion...
Petrel Build: 03 Assembling Forms [video]
Nick Schade writes: The easiest way to set up the forms for woodstrip kayak is using an internal strongback. Here I use a 2" x 4" x 13' aluminum extrusion...
![Petrel Build: 02 Milling Bookmatched Cedar Strips [video]](http://clcboats.com/cdn/shop/articles/clc-milling-bookmatched-cedar-strips.png?v=1728315500&width=533)
Petrel Build: 02 Milling Bookmatched Cedar Stri...
Nick Schade writes: Cutting strips is always a little tedious. It is primarily a matter of feeding the wood through the saw. When you intend to bookmatch the strips on...
Petrel Build: 02 Milling Bookmatched Cedar Stri...
Nick Schade writes: Cutting strips is always a little tedious. It is primarily a matter of feeding the wood through the saw. When you intend to bookmatch the strips on...
![Petrel Build: 01 Making the Forms [video]](http://clcboats.com/cdn/shop/articles/clc-making-forms-cutting-guides.png?v=1728315248&width=533)
Petrel Build: 01 Making the Forms [video]
Nick Schade writes: I've started building a Petrel for a customer. I'll be using 3/16" western red cedar, book matching and building without staples. In this video I'm doing one...
Petrel Build: 01 Making the Forms [video]
Nick Schade writes: I've started building a Petrel for a customer. I'll be using 3/16" western red cedar, book matching and building without staples. In this video I'm doing one...
Hybrid Decks - How to Build a Kayak With a Ceda...
Most people find the look of a cedar strip deck irresistible. Several CLC kayak kits, including Shearwaters and Mill Creeks, come with cedar strip decks as an option, but did...
Hybrid Decks - How to Build a Kayak With a Ceda...
Most people find the look of a cedar strip deck irresistible. Several CLC kayak kits, including Shearwaters and Mill Creeks, come with cedar strip decks as an option, but did...
How Many Cedar Strips Will I Need?
The world of small boats is replete with handsome designs for boats meant to be skinned in thin cedar planking. There are the lovely kayaks and canoes by Nick Schade...
How Many Cedar Strips Will I Need?
The world of small boats is replete with handsome designs for boats meant to be skinned in thin cedar planking. There are the lovely kayaks and canoes by Nick Schade...
Hatches, Bulkheads, & Deck Rigging in CLC Compl...
UnderstandingIt's puzzling why anyone would ship a kayak kit without the essential accessories that all paddlers use: hatches for gear storage, bulkheads to create watertight compartments for safety in a...
Hatches, Bulkheads, & Deck Rigging in CLC Compl...
UnderstandingIt's puzzling why anyone would ship a kayak kit without the essential accessories that all paddlers use: hatches for gear storage, bulkheads to create watertight compartments for safety in a...
Checking for Twist
Occasionally twist can develop in any boat built without forms and a strongback. Here's a technique, called winding, allows you to quickly check that your kayak is straight. Before taping...
Checking for Twist
Occasionally twist can develop in any boat built without forms and a strongback. Here's a technique, called winding, allows you to quickly check that your kayak is straight. Before taping...
Cheap Clamps
How many clamps does it take to build a kayak? With only 15 it's tough; 25 is better. We've often used 40 or 50. So even if you buy only...
Cheap Clamps
How many clamps does it take to build a kayak? With only 15 it's tough; 25 is better. We've often used 40 or 50. So even if you buy only...
Cabinet Scrapers for Boatbuilding
Boatbuilders seeking to ease the tedium of sanding have latched onto a very old-fashioned tool to deal with a high-tech problem: cabinet scrapers to smooth cured epoxy. Cabinet scrapers are...
Cabinet Scrapers for Boatbuilding
Boatbuilders seeking to ease the tedium of sanding have latched onto a very old-fashioned tool to deal with a high-tech problem: cabinet scrapers to smooth cured epoxy. Cabinet scrapers are...
Boatbuilding Terms Defined
There's a wonderful sequence in E.B. White's Stuart Little where Stuart and a sailor friend mock another boat's owner, saying he doesn't know "...A jib from a jibe...or a luff...
Boatbuilding Terms Defined
There's a wonderful sequence in E.B. White's Stuart Little where Stuart and a sailor friend mock another boat's owner, saying he doesn't know "...A jib from a jibe...or a luff...
Aligning Deck Fasteners
When fastening down a deck with bronze ring nails or screws, it's hard to get them all to line up evenly - especially if the deck panels are cut oversize...
Aligning Deck Fasteners
When fastening down a deck with bronze ring nails or screws, it's hard to get them all to line up evenly - especially if the deck panels are cut oversize...
Wooden Compass Mount
Here's an elegant wooden compass mount you can make. 1: Begin with about a 6" x 6" block of wood; trace deck camber onto the side of the block. 2:...
Wooden Compass Mount
Here's an elegant wooden compass mount you can make. 1: Begin with about a 6" x 6" block of wood; trace deck camber onto the side of the block. 2:...
Toggles for Kayaks
The plans for many of our touring kayaks show a loop of line at bow and stern for carrying handles. This is the simplest approach and brutally strong, but hard...
Toggles for Kayaks
The plans for many of our touring kayaks show a loop of line at bow and stern for carrying handles. This is the simplest approach and brutally strong, but hard...
The Perfect Cockpit
One does not sit in a kayak; one wears a kayak - It's difficult to brace, make sweep turns, and/or to roll a kayak if your hips, knees, feet, and...
The Perfect Cockpit
One does not sit in a kayak; one wears a kayak - It's difficult to brace, make sweep turns, and/or to roll a kayak if your hips, knees, feet, and...
Rudder, Retractable Skeg or Nothing?
"Tracking" is the ability of a boat to travel in a straight line. All other things being equal, a kayak with a long straight keel tracks better than a short...
Rudder, Retractable Skeg or Nothing?
"Tracking" is the ability of a boat to travel in a straight line. All other things being equal, a kayak with a long straight keel tracks better than a short...
Kayak Rack Storage
Someone recently observed that if all of the CLC boats that have been built were placed end to end, they would stretch for more than 45 miles. That’s a lot...
Kayak Rack Storage
Someone recently observed that if all of the CLC boats that have been built were placed end to end, they would stretch for more than 45 miles. That’s a lot...
Kayak Deck Rigging
CLC offers a wide selection of Deck Rigging Fittings and Rope & Cordage.
Kayak Deck Rigging
CLC offers a wide selection of Deck Rigging Fittings and Rope & Cordage.
Internal Footbrace Mounts
We have long been advocates of KISS-principle footbrace installation: just through-bolt the footbraces to the sides of the kayak hull. However, we've heard from scores of builders over the years...
Internal Footbrace Mounts
We have long been advocates of KISS-principle footbrace installation: just through-bolt the footbraces to the sides of the kayak hull. However, we've heard from scores of builders over the years...