I started working on my first attempt at an external stem. This will help the kayak take on a little more abuse, help the kayak track through water and will make the kayak look sharp.
I had to have a friend plane the boards down a little so it would be more workable. Then to get it to bend the rest of the way I bought a cheapo heat gun at Harbor Freights to help stretch the grain. It was just enough that I barely was able to get the tightest radius.
I laminated a piece of pine in between the two strips of Bubinga for a little pinstripe action.
Later I’ll pull the laminations off and shape it .