F1 modern Skin-on-Frame kayak

Building course

Course details

This course is aimed at providing tuition and support in the building of a made to measure F1 general purpose modern kayak.  Nine building days is a minimum duration for completion of a finished boat. However, the process involves some ‘rest’ days to allow for oil absorption and coating curing. The normal total duration is 14 days. See below for the full breakdown.

The course participants are provided with the machined timber and other materials required to build the kayak. The aim is to leave with a finished kayak, but this is dependent on the participants progress over the course. Both individual and group tuition is provided in use of the tools and on the skills and techniques. Depending on the level of need some direct assistance is provided.

Details on the kayak and it’s dimensions are gathered prior to the course to enable John to machine all of the timber ready for the participant to start their build on day 1. Variations for the chosen kayak are based on the intended use and size of the paddler.

Participant use of power machinery is limited to hand held drills, mortising drill and hot knife.

No prior woodworking skills are required but are useful.

If the build is unlikely to be competed within the agreed time scale then additional help is provided, or in worst case scenario, additional day/s time made to allow the build to be extended for completion. This may result in additional cost to cover the additional hours of support and assistance

Additional details

Course structure: At the beginning of the course participants are provided with an overview of the process and some initial discussion of the tools and skills used.  The course is carefully divided into focused day by day tasks to ensure that the participant can complete the build within the allotted time to be able to take away their finely fashioned kayak at the close of the course.  The aim is to leave with a finished kayak, but this is dependent on the participants progress over the initial five days. 

Interruptions to the build process to allow for ‘drying time’: Following the construction of the frame there is a minimum of a one day break for the frame to be oiled prior to skinning of the kayak. When the skin has been coated with polyurethane it requires a minimum of two days to cure before being handled. Normally the coating is completed in two days but with a minimum of a days curing time between the two days.

Materials: Regardless of the course length option you choose, in all cases, all of the materials for building the frame, skinning the frame and coating the finished boat are included.

Pricing: Regardless of the build options chosen the course cost is the same. £1800

Partial opt out option: Particularly for folk living on the Island of Ireland it can be useful if parts of the process are completed by John/Valkyrie craft. This allows the builder to either reduce time spent staying on site or to reduce the need for multiple trips if returning home between stages. This is possible at extra cost simply based on £/time .

• Skinning the frame £150
• Polyurethane coating day 1 – 1/2 day £80
• Polyurethane coating day 2 – 1/2 day £80
• Rigging 1/2 day £60

Please feel free to call if you wish to discuss any of this. UK. 07722018457

Note relating to over all time frames

The intention is to be as flexible as possible to accommodate the complexities of individuals lives and time availability. The above overview is a guide.

Rest day periods can be extended within reason.

• We have had a situation in which a builder has had a year long absence following the completion of the frame due to unforeseen change of circumstances..
• It is not uncommon to have folk use rest day periods to spend some time sight seeing, taking three or four days rather than one or two.
• We have run a build over series of weekends to accommodate inflexible work commitments.
• We have paused the process for various time frames for folk to travel home and return in due course.