Kayak Seven - Kudzu Vardo SOF

Details: Category: Boat Shop

Kayak Seven

Kudzu Vardo SOF

for Jeff & Robin

This is a kayak for Tucker's parents, so we can all get on the water together. Enough of the fleet will likely be at the same place and time for family kayaking.

It's a Jeff Horton design, a Kudzu Vardo. This design's characteristics will be ideal for a new kayaker with one or more wee kayakers to look after as well as paddle.

The plans should be here this week (Dec 2011), and I have the materials to skin another after completing the last SOF.

Designs available at http://kudzucraft.com

Jeff and Robin's Vardo.

Build Log.

Started December 2011

4DEC11

Plans ordered and should arrive this week. Build six is ready to paint, so SOF build area is ready for a new boat.

Progress pics:

Mounts for hatch pieces,

The next shots show mounting the foot braces. There's a good explanation on how to do this in Jeff's book.

The hardware.

Measure for midpoint of foot brace from back of cockpit plus 4" for backband.

This worked out to about 49" for a 5'8" person.

Front Left.Rear Left.

Watch your angles when drilling. Tight tolerance.

Skinned 11Feb12. Waiting for hatches to arrive.

Hatches arrived Friday 17FEB12 after being held up by my friends at Customs.

Here's how I installed them.

These are Sealect Designs 8" round hatch lid and ring, product code K746089. I ordered these through Jeff Horton at Kudzu Craft.

I drilled holes through the plywood below the skin (left intact until sewing). Around twice to capture above and below each space.

The bottom piece was held down with four c-clamps. Lexel sealant below rims. Holes piloted and drilled to size for stainless bolts. These are double-nutted below with a washer, cut off flush and ground free of burrs.