From: kork@imagelan.com (Kirk Olsen)
Message-Id: <9503012050.AA14152@imagelan.com>
Subject: Re: removable baidarka skins (was rib bending)
To: baidarka@imagelan.com
Date: Wed, 1 Mar 95 15:50:00 EST
hazel.2@postbox.acs.ohio-state.edu (Paul Hazel) eloquently put:
> previously (Kirk) wrote:
>
> >
> >Where on the boat would you have the lacings? Stern, entire deck, between
> >cockpits.
> >
>
> For a single hatch, I would lace from the cockpit to the stern, for
> multi-hatch designs, the area between the hatches might need to be included.
For a multi-hatch boat you could do floating cockpits, which could allow
you to have permanant seams between the cockpits.
> Actually it has occured to me that this seam wouldn't have to be any
> different from any other deck seam as far as finishing and waterproofing - I
> figure it could be sewn shut and doped like the rest of the skin.
That would depend on how often you want to take the boat apart. Once
every couple of years the full stitching would be a good solution.
Lacing could work well for a takeapart version of a baidarka.
> Imagine this: From the bow to the first hatch would be cut and sewn to fit
> as in normal construction. The skin from the hatch on back would be cut and
> sewn oversize with the excess folded under (the 'tongue'). The purpose of
> the lacing is to provide the fit only, nothing else should be needed here
> for waterproofing - as mentioned above the seam is sewn and coated. The
> purpose of the oversize skin is to allow the frame to be slid out from the
> stern when the lacing is released. (Kirk, I think you mentioned something
> like this previously.)
>
> I think that Bill's suggestion of using a dry bag type of seal would then be
> perfect for sealing the stern opening. Aside from the hatch opening(s) this
> would be the only part of the skin that has an opening needing a seal of
> some type. And this opening would not have to be any larger than the maximum
> circumference of the boat - be sure to use the circumference that includes
> the hatch combing if it isn't removeable.
There is a picture (in Zimmerly's Qajaq?) of a stern that is simply
tied with a drawstring.
A minor concern I have with the dry bag closure
that Bill described (from what I expect is a pheonix dry bag) is if
the closure is used vertically over the stern it leaves a flap with
the opening facing the bow of the boat. If the stern stem of the
boat is not vertical, it might be possible to have a permanant
seam at the stern of the boat and slip the frame down into the skin
(like putting on a slipper). Then lace the skin on the stern deck.
> Potential problem: during beach launches the bottom of the stern is going to
> drag through some really abrasive stuff - how are we going to protect the
> seam closure?
>
> Design dilemma: How are we going to attach a rudder over this seam closure?
> (I know , I said the "R" word, but they can serve a purpose.)
kirk olsen
kork@imagelan.com