To: baidarka@lists.intelenet.net
From: Bram van der Sluys <bvdsluys@direct.ca>
Subject: Re: baidarka Greenland Kayak Construction
Message-Id: <E10zLN7-0000OB-00@edam.direct.ca>
Date: Wed, 30 Jun 1999 07:29:57 -0700
Hi Richard:
As I've said before, my first kayak was a Putz style bur there were I couple
of things I did differently.
a) I built a strongback (from 2 2x12 and a 2x10) which was set on leg about
4 feet above the ground. This allowed me to used inexpensive particleboard
for forms. I don't know the price of plywood in your homeland but here in
Canada it's too expensive to use as forms(IMHO). I've now got 3 kayaks
(different types) off the same strongback so it's worth the investment.
b) I built an oval coaming and it turned out to fairly time consuming as I
too wasn't enamoured with George's idea. I can now at least use a sprayskirt.
I used only 2 boxes of stainless screws and at $6 to $8 Canadian didn't feel
that to be a major expense considering the safety margin it gives in joint
strength.
The only tools I consistently used was a table saw for breakdown of major
wood sizes to stringers etc., a band saw all the short and curvy bits and a
belt sander for shaping and finishing. A miter guage is usefull for taking
off all the angled pieces in the truss work and yes lots of clamps. A router
if you have it can be usefull in rounding corners but a forty five degrees
bevel and a roundover with a palm sander does just as well bur takes a
little longer.
Regards
Bram
At 01:20 PM 6/26/99 -0600, you wrote:
>Hi,
>I am new to skin-on-frame craft but used to paddle white water years ago
>in college.
>
>I am in the process of getting ready to build my first traditional
>kayak.
>
>I am considering building the 17 footer in George Putz's book, "Wood and
>Canvas Kayak Building", and was wondering if anyone out there had built
>this kayak? If so, I would appreciate any information on how it
>paddled, went together, is it a good first kayak to build, etc. I would
>appreciate any information from all you builders on pitfalls to
>watch out for on your first traditional kayak.
>Thanks
>Richard Reynolds
>
>
>