Subject: RE: baidarka Inuit boat plans - any firsthand experience?
From: Peter A. Chopelas (pac@premier1.net)
Date: Sat Apr 29 2000 - 21:08:35 EDT
Dear gang,
Allow me to out line what I would, and perhaps others, might find most
useful. I realize the difficulty of describing handling qualities in an
objective and meaningful way though I do not think that it is really
necessary to get too technical for the information to be useful.
Since I am personally very familiar with engineering terminology I would
find comparing measured or calculated properties useful and interesting,
though I would not suspect that most casual paddlers, or amateur builders
(or potential builders) would find it that helpful, even if experienced
paddlers had the time and inclination to do the kind of analysis John
Winters does. Though useful to some, that is not what I had in mind.
I think if you experienced baidarkanauts just take the time to put yourself
into the mind of an inexperience paddler and consider what would be most
important for them to know about how you find the various kayaks you have
paddled behave.
For example:
What type of conditions does it handle well? smooth water only, good in
heavy seas or following seas, a good cargo hauler, tracks well, etc.
What type of conditions does it not handle well? real tippy unless fully
loaded, a lot of work to keep from capsizing in a beam seas, tough to make
tight turns in, etc.
What type of paddler would you say the kayak is well suited for? Good for
beginners, skilled paddlers only, reasonable for both beginners and
experienced paddlers alike. Not recommended for those not in good physical
condition.
How would you rate yourself as a paddler (experienced, expert, modest,
novice) and what kinds of trips would you use this type of boat for? Long
distance, surfing, general recreational paddling, good all around design
but not particularly good for any one type of use, etc.
What problems did you discover when building it, would you do it
differently? Does it seem unnecessarily heavy? Or would you make it
stronger next time? What changes did you do the original design and would
you do it again if you build another one?
How would you compare it to other designs you have paddled? More stable
but a bit slower than XXX, better leg room but harder to roll than xxx,
etc.
The more of your experience you can put to words, in a way most people can
understand, would be very useful. Also where to find plans or off sets
would be helpful too.
When someone says a kayak is "fine", what does that mean? Good for most
conditions with all skill levels? Typical of most popular kayak designs?
Good for beginners but experts would find slow and not very maneuverable?
Just be specific, define what you mean, and describe yourself and the
conditions you like to use it in, and the conditions you do not like to use
it in.
There are some good descriptions in the registry, though not everyone took
the time to describe their boat with a lot of detail. Perhaps if there was
a place on this or a linked web-site where people simply read and add their
comments and experience to a growing list personal "reviews" we could
create a "catalog" of useful information.
In my own case right now I am thinking about building a double for family
outings and need information to help me pick or modify a design. At first
I wanted a three holer with the middle hatch for carrying my youngest
daughter and/or cargo (not really something I would expect to beable to
roll). Than it occurred to me when my wife gets more experienced, and my
daughter a little older, and both want to be in their own kayaks, that a
three holer will be a bit much for a single paddler to handle. I'll end up
with a pretty large kayak nobody wants to use. So now I'm thinking I'll
build a smaller double that will still handle well with a single paddler
with extra room for cargo. I will eventually build singles for us but that
will probably happen at least until next winter for use in the summer of
2001. I want to get started on the double now to use this summer in the
Puget Sound area.
I am intending this kayak for general recreational use close to shore and
in lakes, for camping and day tripping, and possible island hopping once we
get more experienced. I am a fairly experienced canoe paddler and very
experienced with both summer and winter backcountry travel. I do not want
to build a kayak I will out grow but I do not want to build one that is too
much for me or my wife to handle right now either.
Eventually I will take what I learn on this double to design and build the
singles later, so I am not expecting the ideal boat at first try, but I do
want one that is "good enough" for my purposes that will not have any bad
habits and we can enjoy for years to come.
Any suggestions or comments?
I think I am typical of many first time builders (many of which will not
speak up). Though I am not exactly a complete novice, I am just not sure
of what to expect from the various popular designs out there. And there is
a hazard for the more adventuresome, like myself (though I think I am at
least aware of this hazard, hence my request for info.)-- skin on frame
designs are so easy to alter that poor results in the finished boat will
discourage further participation in the sport, or worse, could results in
an unseaworthy kayak that could be dangerous to in certain conditions.
Promoting good design, distributing good information and always reminding
people of the pit falls of what they are attempting are all appropriate and
positive goals for a mailing list such as this. I am willing to carefully
consider any suggestions or ideas anyone of you have to offer, for this
double and for any future kayaks I may build. And you may convince me to
change my plans altogether if you bring up a point I had not considered.
I just think a listing of design comments would be real useful for myself
and any other builder in selecting and modifying a design.
Thanks for all of your input.
Peter
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