What model Shrike did you choose?
Shrike LV 90%
What modifications, if any, did you make to the design described in the Build Manual?
Thigh braces: I cut out the full hole for the cockpit and then created a template across the kayak between the sheer clamps to include the curve of the thigh braces. I scored the plywood thigh braces in radiant fashion from the point at the front adjacent to the cockpit upstand to the back, bent them to shape, and then used super-glue to create the shape, clamped and epoxied this under the deck having shaved the edge to make a good fit with the deck. (Much easier to do on the bench than in the boat) and made 2 more small thigh brace pieces scored and epoxied on top. I then trimmed and glass twilled top and bottom of the braces for strength.
Skeg: I did not fit a skeg as I have never used the one I fitted to my full-size Shrike.
Hull: sheathed inside and outside in fibreglass twill cloth, 4.7 oz./sq. yard (160 gm/sq. m)
Masik template: I cut the curve in a 1 inch thick plank of wood, and clamped the layers of plywood between the two pieces of wood. This was very easy, and effective.
Day compartment: Enlarged to allow a big enough hatch to permit access for a helmet.
Bow and stern toggles: I cut a few inches off the points front and back to make them less lethal, and I filled inside behind them with some dense closed cell foam finished with epoxy, and drilled a hole through this and sealed in a plastic pipe to act as conduit for 6mm bungee through to wooden handles. This creates a lot less knocking and rattling than some other methods.
What is the weight of the finished kayak?
14.5 kg (32 pounds) including all fittings, seat and pump.
Anything you wish you had done differently?
I should have added more layers of glass cloth to the plywood plates between the cockpit rim and the chines to strengthen them, as I’ve already snapped off one plate
Any tips you’d like to suggest to future builders?
Keep the workshop warm. Building in a warm place will help the penetration of epoxy resin into the glass cloth and tape. Epoxy loves heat, and 15 degrees C (60 F) or more is good, especially when rolling coats of resin.
How does the kayak perform on the water
It rolls brilliantly. I went about 15 miles in Plymouth Sound last week where it handled waves well and was able to surf off almost any swell. Being low volume and with my weight of about 75kg it is fairly low in the water, it has great tracking in the wind and edging frees the hull for easy turning. It is just great fun as a boat.