Date: Wed, 31 Jan 1996 12:48:52 -0800 (PST)
From: neibrai <linex.com!bjm@imagelan.com>
Subject: Re: Aleut paddles?
In-Reply-To: <v01530501ad347eacb6c6@[206.163.122.24]>
To: baidarka@imagelan.com
Message-Id: <Pine.NXT.3.91.960131120559.22655B-100000@linex.cc.wwu.edu>
On Tue, 30 Jan 1996, Tahnee or James wrote:
> Aleut and other traditional kayak paddles are really neat, but
> extremely hard for this former whitewater gonzo to get used to with their
> really narrow, unfeathered blades and funky handgrips. I have built a few
> different ones from Zimmerly's book and have used several others that my
> friend Harvey has built--serious replicas complete with bone edgings and
> other neat stuff. ...
> --James McMullen
> James, would your friend, Harvey, happen to be Harvey Golden? I met a
fellow at a Baidarka Historical Society gathering @ Deception Pass last
October who makes "serious replicas" of Inuit/Aleut boats. He was going
to send me some line drawings that he had collected during his extensive
research, but alas, I lost his ph# & address. I would love to regain
contact. As to the discussion of mere aluminum vs. wood...it all depends
on your objective. If one wants to be AUTHENTIC, then one must gather
driftwood, as did the aleuts, and find a source for either seal or walrus
hide. Remember, the boats required regular upkeep and repair, and died
relatively quickly. On the other hand, Geo D.
inspired boats will last significantly longer, without all the necessary
yearly maintenance, reskinning, etc. I'm definitely respectful of
those who try to get as close as realistically possible to the
traditional construction, but I have tried to take advantage of the
wealth of materials that are available to me...titaniun for foot brace
and rudder, teflon for friction bushings, kevlar lines, spectra lashings,
ABS plastics, the most advanced poly urethanes for coating, etc. The
titanium, teflon, ABS and kevlar were salvaged, true to the spirit of the
aleut. My guess is that if the aleuts had found 6061-T6 washed up on the
beach, they would have utilized this incredibly light, strong material
to their fullest capacity. By the way, I know what you mean about the
traditional paddles. It would take me some time to get used to them.
Happy paddling,
Brian