Uwe's Shop: The MOTH construction of stitch and glue kayak

The project was started July 4th until August 26 .
We spent 7.5 hrs on the lower stitch and seam glue up with first coat of epoxy.

Frame bulkheads

stitch

plate to rest on when turned over

supplies

The following week we put in 6 hrs for fiberglass 1st second and third layer with lots of trim and cleanup in between

bulkheads to fit upper deck

The upper deck was next, stitch and first layer took 4 hrs total

We had now completed another week

first fit

second fit

final before glass

Inside of upper deck was glassed up first and all stitching seams glued up ,then stitching removed.

this was done while fit on the bottom frame, once glue set ,blankets were laid on and then lots of sanding

This entire process took over 15 hrs

Its glued down now sanding and cleanup

note the tape so we don't glue the deck down too soon

Things get small up front and there are fill blocks that have to be addressed also

underside layup

Glue down

sanding after first epoxy coat

fit the blanket

trim

cut to length

The past 3 weeks we have gone from a kit to an assembled boat,This is all seams sealed and a complete inside layup of fiberglass , another 25hrs to this point.

Its Aug 12 The upper deck is set , the inside seams are done. The knee braces are now installed. The blanket is glued down, a second coat on the upper deck and lots of sanding. At this point we are out of epoxy and had to order another quart to finish the project

first layer

trim and knee braces

keep your edges clean

second layer combing is set

final layer ,note combing

Now Aug 20 i think week 5 and another 12.5 hrs of work the rest is just waiting for things to set up.
The hatch opening is layed out and the cockpit combing is now getting its final cleanup for finish work.

clamping down

set lower trim ring

hatch is cut out

The hatch is cut out with a dremel tool and the trim work installed When doing this you are also required to install a bulkhead aft of the seat position .This was a bit tricky to fit but take your time and it will work just fine.Its now Aug 26 and we put in another 16 hrs to this point

note bulkhead

rough fit

final sanding

water gasket installation

nice lines

The hardware is now fitted and installed. A custom fit is always better so we placed ANN in her new kayak and st up the foot braces
So here is how the moth got its name and as you can see it floats just fine

The project took just shy of 2 months at a minimum of 61 hours but there was a lot of time not kept track of by two people. The kayak is currently on the seacoast in Main .