Date: Wed, 09 Sep 1998 21:36:55 -0400
From: chall@totalsports.net (Charles Hall)
To: baidarka@lists.intelenet.net
Subject: [baidarka] Last word on Percy Blandford
I've received a reply from Percy Blandford's agent in England about the
availability of his plans. Here's the dope...
In England: W. F. Harrison
P.O. Box 55
Bingley BD16 4UU
West Yorkshire
England, UK
In America: Clark Craft
16 Aqua Lane
Tonawanda, NY 14150
Ph. (716) 873-2640
I had also ordered a set of Folding Kayak plans from Clark Craft, which
coincidentally arrived the same day. I bought the "BK 12" plans for a
single-seater folding kayak. They also offer a two-seater "BK 19".
The plans consist of Percy's full-size templates and drawings of all the
wood and metal pieces. Not many overall views however. Instructions
consist of a single typewritten sheet. The plans include details of
spray skirts, bags, sails, rudders, a dolly using "pram wheels", and a
small flag pole to fly your pennant from! The boat is made of a folding
frame which slips into a sewn rubberized canvas skin. Sounds like a
modern folding kayak. Anyone wishing to know more may email me, and I'll
try to read the plans and figure it out.
One more thing, the letter from Mr. Harrison included the British
catalog of Blandford plans. These include not only the PBK-12 and
PBK-19, but also two others, "PBK-24" (11' single), and "PBK-21" (14'-6"
single). VERY LITTLE information is included on these boats. These four
were the only skin-on-frame boats listed, although there were other
folding plywood boats.
As for Clark Craft, they also supply a nice assortment of hard-to-find
marine hardware. Things like small-size gudgeons & pintles, brass strips
for rub rails, stainless steel hardware, aluminum fins, etc.
If I build that kayak, y'all will be the first to know...
-- Charles Hall Raleigh, NC USA