Builders' Forum Archives

Artic Hawk question

Posted by Steve Murch on May 10, 2004

I have built a CLC 17LT and am now in the middle of the Merganser 16. I am now looking at my third kayak on the horizon. A few questions about the Artic Hawk.

1. Is the Artic Hawk deck attached like a CLC Chesapeake with sheer clamps down the whole side? The Merganser deck is attached with just fiberglass tape on the inside. The last 1 - 2 feet is almost unreachable. I almost felt like I was back on the farm turning a calfs head. It would make sense for 1- 2 foot shear clamps to be at the bow and stern.

2. Are there any deck beams with the Artic Hawk for support?

3. Is the Artic Hawk dependant on shape by the beveling of the panels to fit for stitching. It seems when I built the CLC 17LT I only had to bevel the sheer clamps and every so slightly for the panels to fit.

4. Are the panels for the Artic Hawk scarf or butt joints?

For what its worth the puzzle type panel joints make a very easy to assemble panel. The argument for strength may exist as the argument for butt vs scarf. For a novice like myself, they do not creep at night.

Thanks ahead for any info

Steve Murch Wilmington, NC