Building the Cockpit Coaming

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The coaming is a "lip" around the cockpit.  As you can see from these pictures, I used 3 inch strips of cedar and pine to make the coaming.  I really discovered how great a hot glue gun really is.  I don't think it took more than a couple of hours to glue the coaming in place.  I'm not sure I like the alternating cedar/pine pattern, but almost every kayak picture I've found uses this pattern. Eventually, a series of strips will be glued around the coaming to make a lip, but I think that has to wait intil the  deck is fiberglassed and the coaming has more strength. In building my cockpit I strayed a little bit from Nick Schade's plans. First of all I made the cockpit a little wider.  At 200+ pounds I wasn't sure I was going to fit the narrow cockpit in the text.  I also lengthened the cockpit by six inches.  I thought this would allow for easier entry.

Every kayak builder has to have a picture showing the clamps necessary to glue the cockpit coaming in place.  To the left, you can see my complete clamp collection in action.  My coaming is made from four 1/8 inch strips of shag bark hickory. Hickory has a beautiful color and bends very easily. I am building a hatch cover with matching hickory edging.