From: "James Mitchell" <mariner@seanet.com>
To: <baidarka@lists.intelenet.net>
Subject: Re: baidarka Seat
Date: Tue, 7 Sep 1999 21:52:00 -0700
Seat height is everything to stability. That 1" pad can cost you 30% of
your initial stability (see the tests in Sea Kayaker). Take the foam out
and sit on the wood until you get the hang of balancing the boat. I also
recommend the Thermarest pillow as a pad, because you can fine tune it while
underway. I believe they have just put out a kayak seat version of that
pad... you might try REI.com.
----- Original Message -----
From: <PohuKai@aol.com>
To: <baidarka@lists.intelenet.net>
Sent: Monday, September 06, 1999 10:04 PM
Subject: Re: baidarka Seat
After 1 1/2 years of building (I know, but I got busy with work) I just had
my first launch this weekend in my baidarka. I stuck fairly close to
dimension's in Wolfgang's book (17' x 20 3/8"), however, I made laminated
deck beams. It was a little tippy with little initial stability but good
secondary. It tracks REALLY well and seems fast.
For a seat, I sat on a 1" closed cell pad, a little bigger than a mouse pad.
(This is about twice as thick as the pad I've used in my other kayaks). For
back padding, I made a back band which I glued 1/2" foam and covered it with
nylon. I may want to increase the thickness on the back band pad. Although
I only paddled it for a few hours, I found it very comfortable, but not
adequately padded out when it came time to roll it.
If you made your kayak, make your paddle! It's easy and cheap. I made mine
out of scrap spruce for probably $3.00. (Use Wolfgang's instructions) I
love
it and got use to it right away. I haven't paddled anything since in the
past year. If you don't like it, you're only out $3.00 and a couple hours.
If you want to be stylish, DON'T USE A GREENLAND PADDLE with a baidarka.
Use
an Aleutian paddle. Don't clash the cultures. :)
Take care
jim gabriel
Kayak Builders of Southern California
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/btreecs
(No kayak registry entry yet for this boat)