Date: Tue, 26 Nov 1996 10:49:23 -0800 (PST)
From: Joseph Lubischer <jlubisch@linknet.kitsap.lib.wa.us>
To: baidarka@lists.intelenet.net
Subject: Re: Modern kostochki reproductions
In-Reply-To: <Pine.SUN.3.95.961125195725.10483B-100000@linknet.kitsap.lib.wa.us>
There is lot's of opportunity for testing kostochki theories. The only
contemporary use of which I know is a Shield's frame I built in 1991. The
longitudinal flexibility seemed typical of an eastern Aleut design (with
the light Aleut structure), but there was an increase in torsional
flexibility. Speed tests by Greg Barton showed no significant difference
over Dyson's rigid Shield's frame. Further work on my craft was abandoned
due to a loss of flexibility as the nylon skin shrank, coupled with the
fact that the body was too full. (Builders beware, Shield's drawings are
not proportionately correct.) I understand that Mark Daniels wishes to
build a kayak with kostochki as part of his program in the Pribilofs. And
more interesting, he may be able to do so with seal or sea lion skin,
which may, after all, be a critical part of the performance equation.