From: kyak@rockisland.com
Date: Sun, 26 Jul 1998 08:02:58 -0700 (PDT)
Message-Id: <199807261502.IAA02095@cronus.rockisland.com>
To: baidarka@lists.intelenet.net
Iluraq - 13'x27"x13" Finished Weight : 28 lbs
This boat is a recreational spin-off of a Nunivak/Hooper Bay type
Bering Sea kayak, as used in the Yukon-Kushkokwim country of SW Alaska. Even
shortened 2 feet, the boat has generous volume for gear and has a very
light, buoyant feel and is quite manuverable despite a fairly straight keel
line. I did introduce a little rocker (not traditional) but may take it out
after further trials. The stabilty range is good, quite solid at first, good
secondary, and a good "seaboat" feeling. It's a boat that seems able to take
quite a bit of snotty weather if and when it had to. It's pretty lively too,
like paddling around in a little duck. Only one paddle so far, so only
preliminary impressions, but first impressions are important - this is a
good boat!
Paddle
Nunivak types are normally paddled with a single blade (leaf ended).
I made mine out of mystery wood 2x2 from the local yard, kept telling myself
it was spruce, but who knows? When it dried out the weight was quite
acceptable and $7 seemed well spent. The blade is narrow, only 3 1/2 max but
seems to be pretty well suited, although a little more width could be added
without overloading the stoke. Two or three strokes per side alternately was
the trad. method, works pretty well. Can also paddle on one side only and
use a little twist at the end of the stroke for steering. I am really
anxious to try the little 18 " stalking paddle too as soon as I make one.
I fooled around with the original deck geometry a little bit so you
could use a standard double paddle, and not bang the coaming or your
knuckles. On the orignal boat the double paddle had a fairly long loom, and
rather small blades. It was used for speed or distance travel.
Some Construction details
The boat is principally framed in yellow cedar for longitudinals. Most of
the deck beams. the lower bow and the stern post were all gotten out of
knees and grown stock. These woods included Golden locust, apple, fir and
cedar Ribbing is local willow, about 3" o.c. midships, 6 " in the ends.
Covering was 8 oz nylon as a test of that material, with UA-75 for
waterproofing. For the circular cockpit I used a dead bicycle Rim (25") in
combo with some oak and willow. Made a real strong coaming, but didn't save
anytime. Looks cool tho, and always brings a smile to the eco-crowd's face
due to it's totally PC recycling effort.
In some ways, building a bering sea type is very different
proposition than the Aleut boats most folks are familiar with. The reverse
sheer, lock scarfs , and the proportions of underbody to deck cause you to
stop an think in a pleasent way the first time around. In other ways...hey,
it's a kayak isn't it?
skip