Crafting the Stitch & Glue Petrel Play Kayak: Spot Welding with Cyanoacrylate Glue

Welcome back to The Guillemot Kayaks Workshop series, where Nick Schade and his friend Bill take you through the intricacies of building the Petrel Play SG sea kayak using a kit from Chesapeake Light Craft. We are delighted to have you back on this incredible journey. If you've been following along, you'll know that we have been methodically assembling this kayak kit step by step, and you are in for another exciting installment.

Episode Recap: Spot Welding

In the latest episode, we have moved on to the critical phase of spot welding the panels together using cyanoacrylate glue, often known as super glue or CA glue. This episode, like the previous ones, breaks down the boat-building process into easy-to-digest chunks for you to follow at your own pace.

Key Steps in This Episode:

• Ensuring Seam Alignment: 
• The first task was to check the alignment of the seams not just visually but by feel. By gently running hands across the seams, Nick demonstrated how to identify the smooth transition required for a perfect fit. Any problematic areas might require unwiring and adjusting to achieve the best possible alignment.
• Spot Welding Technique: 
• Using cyanoacrylate glue to spot weld, they applied small dots along the seams every couple of inches. This method temporarily holds the seams in place until the epoxy is applied. It’s essential not to fill the seams with glue entirely, as this would leave no room for the epoxy—which eventually provides structural integrity.
• Precise Application: 
• The application of glue was meticulous, with Nick highlighting the importance of applying it directly into the seam to optimize its effectiveness. A spritz of activator helps to cure the glue swiftly, holding the panels together without contaminating the wires which will be removed later
• Overcoming Challenges: 
• Viewers also learned how to handle seams that resist alignment, reassuring them that exerting a bit of force won’t damage the structure. Despite any apprehension about breaking the wood, even tight seams can be coaxed into place with persistence.
• Planning for the Next Steps: 
• With all seams now tacked in place, Nick explained the process of wire removal and the subsequent application of epoxy fillets and fiberglass on the kayak's interior in the upcoming episodes. This critical step will further strengthen the kayak.

Looking Forward

Building a kayak from a kit is not just a process of assembly but a journey of transformation—from flat pieces of plywood to a wonderfully shaped vessel. Although it may seem as if the finish line is close, there's much work to be done. As each step is methodically undertaken, patience is key. The reward is not just in the finished boat but in the satisfaction of seeing it emerge piece by piece.