Message-Id: <199511291657.IAA20847@ix4.ix.netcom.com>
Date: Wed, 29 Nov 95 11:59:41 -0500
From: "Harvey A. Schwartz" <ix.netcom.com!harveyas@imagelan.com>
To: baidarka@imagelan.com
Subject: Two-hole baidarka plans
I'm thinking of building a two-hole baidarka this winter. I'm especially interested in a non-toxic project -- I'm in the midst of chemotherapy, which is all the toxic I need for the next few months -- which seems to rule out strip building or torturing plywood, since both methods involve so much epoxy and sanding.
I'd appreciate hearing about sources for plans and/or kits for "skin" on frame boats. Does anybody have experience with traditional methods of sewing the frame together? Does it hold up? (I realize it did for the Inuit, but wouldn't they have used WEST epoxy if it had been available?). What about covering material. The downside of living in the home of famous Ipswich clams is skimming over the clam flats at low tide is rough on the bottom of the hull. If money were no object (dream on) what is the best covering fabric? What about wood vs. aluminum for the frame? I've seen kits advertised. Any comments on them?
I'd appreciate any suggestions.
Harvey Schwartz harveyas@ix.netcom.com
Ipswich MA