2025 Delmarva Kayak Build
The Delmarva Paddlers Retreat’s traditional Greenland skin-on-frame kayak building class is back!
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About the Build​
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The kayak build workshop, led by skilled volunteers, will give you the opportunity to learn the art of building your own skin on frame (SOF) kayak under skilled mentorship.
Build Dates & Tuition
Start Date: Friday, October 3rd
End Date: Thursday, October 9th
Early Bird Tuition: $2500 (before July 1st)
Regular Tuition: $2750 (after July 1st)
Tuition includes all materials and instruction to build a kayak with a sea sock, attendance at the Delmarva Paddlers Retreat, housing for the entire stay (build and retreat), and meals during the retreat. Meals during the build are not provided.
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What to Expect
We will be in touch with you prior to the build to help you determine the type of the kayak you're interested in building, including taking measurements and discussing possible options to personalize your kayak in form and function. Each participant will build their own SOF under the guidance of build class volunteers using simple hand tools such as planes, chisels, and small hand saws. While a working knowledge of hand tools is helpful, basic instruction and guidance in the use of each tool will be provided for those who are less familiar. The goal is for you to have a framed and skinned kayak at the end of the course, so expect seven very long days of intense work. At the end of the class, you will be given detailed instructions on how to complete final outfitting and finishing touches at home.
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What to Bring
Below is a complete list of tools needed by each builder. A PDF version is also available.
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​2 sawhorses to support the kayak during construction
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1 small hand saw - small Japanese saws work fine
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1 small surface/block plane
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1 spokeshave
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1 hammer
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1 pair of pliers to pull out little temporary nails
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1 combination or tri-square
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1 adjustable T-bevel for drawing different angles
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​Battery-powered cordless drill - light duty is fine
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​Utility knife - Anders will have Mora Knives available for purchase
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​Pencils
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​Cabinet scraper and/or sand paper, 80 and 120 grit
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​3-6' pieces of medium thickness rope or 3 kayak straps (for strapping to the sawhorses)
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​As many little clamps as possible!
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Build Refund Policy
Full refunds will be granted up to July 15th, less processing fees if applicable.
After July 15th we can only refund 50%. Again less processing fees when incurred.
After Sept 15th, we can only refund 25%. Again less processing fees when incurred.
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Please note that we lock in our numbers for travel in May, purchase materials in August and commit to the the Camp around the Sept 15th. Once we do that most of your your registration money is spent. We know life happens and we will try to be fair. If someone registers late we may be able to apply it to a refund, but that is far from guaranteed.
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