Subject: baidarka new launched
From: Craig A. Keller (craigk@chem.ucsb.edu)
Date: Tue Apr 10 2001 - 00:04:05 EDT
On a beautiful, windy, rainy, sunny day with hail, a rainbow, and a full
moon, while surrounded by good friends, I christened "Sea Quill" and took
her out for her maiden voyage.
This is a boat of my own design based on the drawings by James Shield (via
George Dyson's plans and book), on the one-hole aleutian boat drawn by
David Zimmerly in his book, and on gleanings from various other sources
(this mailing list, the mariner kayaks website, various lines published in
Sea Kayaker Magazine, etc).
construction: Dyson style, varnished nylon skin over an aluminum frame
total length: 18'
max width: 18"
distinguishing characteristics: open jaw stem after James Shield's
drawing, unusually broad upper bow for bouyency, lift in waves, and
perhaps a little extra secondary stability.
I am soooo pleased with this boat. At 18" wide, I expected to spend all
my time upside down. To my amazement it didn't dump me once on its maiden
voyage while playing in steep 4-5ft swell (I had 35lbs of balast ready just
in case I couldn't paddle without it---didn't need it). I never dreamed
that a kayak with an 18" beam could be so stable. It seems quite fast,
but no time trials yet. It's a joy to paddle through waves with wind. It
hardly knows that wind exists since it's only about 4" max above the
water. I've never been in a boat whose bow spent so much time under the
water, but the ride is dry (I know, I don't really believe it either) and
it certainly doesn't seem to slow it down. It doesn't turn on a dime, but
it was never intended to. A well leaned sweep will bring her around 90
degrees. Very easy to roll. Eventually I expect to find something wrong
with her.........
Many thanks to George Dyson for the inspiration provided by his book, for
developing the lashed aluminum construction (very pleasant work), for
supplying hard to find and carefully selected materials and tools at such
a reasonable price, and for giving me the courage to try my own design.
Thanks to James Mitchell for his hospitality and several useful
conversations (maybe someday I will be able to skin a boat so
beautifully). And, thanks to the rest of you on this list, quite a
resource and amazingly enjoyable as you wander from topic to topic.
See you on the water,
Craig
PS I'll post pictures as soon as I find the time. Might not be too soon.
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