Date: Fri, 19 Sep 1997 09:29:04 -0400
From: "Paul R. LaBrie" <Paul.R.LaBrie@unh.edu>
To: baidarka@lists.intelenet.net
Subject: Re: waterproofing
P.A. Lucas wrote:
> Paul,
> I would be interested in more details of the boat. I'm deep in reading
> and research for my own project, but there's no substitute for "hands
> on". I'm in PA.
> Regards,
> Paul A,. Lucas
Hi Paul,It is a replica of the 5.8 meter Aleut baidarka that is in
Zimmerley's book "Qajaq". I don't have a calculator handy but 5.8 meters is
roughly twenty feet in length. It has a fairly narrow beam (about 19"-20")
and has a very low profile. It tracks VERY well. The cockpit is small, as it
is for most replicas (the Aleut apparently were tiny yet muscular people). It
is covered in a nylon skin which was purchased from George Dyson -- the
covering is extremely durable. The kayak itself was built strongly yet light.
the ribs are white cedar which have been laminated with carbon fiber. the
stringers are of a narrow guage 6061-t6 aluminum. the gunwales and keelson ar
spruce. All wood is encapsulated in
epoxy so rot and varnish are not something you would ever have to worry about,
given reasonable care. The kayak is quite fast and very seaworthy in the
right hands (I wouldn;t call it a beginner's boat as it is fairly tippy).
If you're interested, I
have asked $450 in ads but the truth is I'd be happy to recover my costs and
would sell it for $300-$350. (I'm currently building a 28" trimaran and this
project is really soaking up the funds).
take care!
- paul -