Date: Wed, 5 Nov 1997 00:12:45 -0800 (PST)
From: "H. Paul Jacobson" <hpj3@u.washington.edu>
To: baidarka@lists.intelenet.net
Subject: Rigid bottom kayaks
In-Reply-To: <l03010d17b07c4a17666e@[205.216.99.27]>
I don't exactly remember the context, but someone was discussing the
possibility of making a skin kayak with a rigid bottom. I've seen
something like that at one of the Seattle area Ballard Inflatable Boats.
Their catalog describes a "Yukon Kayak" as:
"... a folding kayak with a fiberglass bottom, inflatable tube gunnels and
waterproof fabric decks ...
- three inflable tubes on each side
- comning accepts standard spary skirt
- 10 minute setup..."
They have singles (14'9"; 2'4") and doubles (18'11"), price from
$1555-2500.
It's been a while since I looked at one, but as I recall, the bottom was a
2 (3?) piece fiberglass hull, about 2" high. There was some sort of wood
keelson to hold it flat. Permanently attached to it (I think) were the
inflatable tubes (Hyplon) - I think several small diameter tubes stacked
on top of each other (rather than one large diameter one typical of
inflatables). It's sort of the kayak equivalent of the rigid bottom
inflatable speedboats. Overall the shape is much like a sea kayak with
long overhangs and a slighly cambered deck.
Paul