From: "James Mitchell" <mariner@seanet.com>
To: <baidarka@lists.intelenet.net>
Subject: Re: baidarka hello?
Date: Wed, 21 Jul 1999 15:57:01 -0700
Rich:
1. What's a water noodle?
2. Caution on making the baidarka form deeper. If you add that depth from
the shear to the keel without a corresponding percentage increase in beam,
you will make a tippy boat much tippy-er. I have a perfect example of same
sitting on the rack outside, and it will be getting a rebuild when the
wet-rainy season comes. For my part, adding to the deck height is less
objectionable a trade-off than adding to the hull below the gunwales.
Windage is a problem, but less so than stability -- at least for me.
"Chinook", my new double, would proportion out to about 7-1/2" from shear to
the top of the keelson, if the beam were taken from its 28" back down to 22"
(LOA = 19'-10"). I know that is backwards, but it gives you some idea of
where I am headed. I wouldn't go that extreme in a single, but I would
think that somewhere around 8" for a 22" single would be appropriate. Add
1-1/8" to these numbers to get to the bottom of the keelson. What say yee,
Wolfgang?
For the rest of you, Chinook is coming along well! Werner Sr., of Werner
Paddles, stopped by this weekend to down a Coke and lash a few ribs to their
stringers. What a joy to add some of his knowledge and love of this sport
to the boat, and to my paddles. Am also trying out Robert Livingston's
design program on Chinook, and will make the data file available when I get
the hang of it. That is a really cool piece of software!!! Even Werner was
impressed... thank you, Robert!!!
----- Original Message -----
From: Rich Frey <pathfndr@nconnect.net>
To: <baidarka@lists.intelenet.net>
Sent: Tuesday, July 20, 1999 4:39 PM
Subject: Re: baidarka hello?
Since everyone is or was out paddling, including me, maybe now's a good time
to share some insights from my recent boundary waters adventure.
First, the japan drier I used on nephew's boat to speed the drying time to
three days instead of three or four weeks did not seem affected by anything,
including an unexpected drenching when he vainly tried to paddle up a wicked
rapid. The wet skin formed bubbles of oil on the exterior, but mine did,
too, from rain and waves sneaking in past the spray skirt; mine was painted
a year ago and without japan drier. Bottom line: japan drier works.
I have decided on several modifications to the Brinck Baidarka I was hastily
trying to finish (unsuccessfully) in time for the trip, which now can be
more carefully constructed. 1) a higher masik to accommodate my long legs,
as well as a deeper cockpit (wider and longer, hence deeper, ribs in the
middle) 2) a smoother skin, 3) thin (1/8 inch x 3 inch) strips of pine as
runners and seat (nephew's held up very well) 3) a beefy rib at the
foot/heal section (his broke as he shoved hard to get unstuck from the
flipped boat (extra gear had him wedged in--5 seconds underwater) 4) a one
inch thick manilla rope lashed to the outside lacing of the coaming,
sufficient to lock in a neoprene spray skirt.
I realized how much I detest quartering 2.5 foot waves and strong wind in a
tippy Greenland style kayak (with the decks loaded with gear). Strapping
foam water noodles to the midsection gave me the stability to handle the
waves and actually HAVE FUN! It may not have looked elegant, it may not be
kosher, but I did not have to wet exit, nor swim to a distant shore. Water
noodles are nice for tripping and when fishing.
Rich in Slinger, Wisconsin- tired but happy.