Subject: Re: [baidarka] Re: Folding Kayaks versus Traditional Baidarkas
From: baidarka@earthlink.net
Date: Sun Aug 03 2003 - 20:43:05 EDT
I like your comments, Tom. Am hoping to get good enough at this Japanese stuff to convince Fujita to try a new design... more like the dimensions you mention for yours.
-------Original Message-------
From: Tom Yost <tom_yost@msn.com>
Sent: 08/04/03 01:58 AM
To: baidarka@paddlewise.net
Subject: Re: [baidarka] Folding Kayaks versus Traditional Baidarkas
>
> Tony,
Your question seems to request a comparison between Commercial Doubles and
a
Baidarka Double. If this truly is the case, then I must weigh in with
Peter
on this one with respect to "doubles". There really is no basis for
comparison when double's are concerned. My Greenland II was absolutely
the
worst kayak I've ever paddled. It's too tall, too short, too wide, and
too
clumbsy to have anything approaching a kayak feel in the water. I've
paddled
the Klepper Aerius II numerous times, and though it performs better than
the
Folbot, was still a clumsy kayak. I know they have crossed the Atlantic,
but
so have aircraft carriers.
The Feathercraft Expedition double is longer and narrower than the other
two,
and can be compared in some ways to commercial fiberglass doubles, but it
still is a very big boat when paired against the Baidarka designs.
The Kleppers and Feathercraft Doubles are beautifully constructed kayaks,
and
the Folbots are a good value for the money, but they simply cannot be
compared
with a homemade Baidarka in terms of design, performance, or function. I
built
a folding version years ago of a George Dyson Baidarka double, and though
it
performed much better than the commercial folders, was still a wide kayak
(
27"). I've also designed and built a 20ft X 26in wide double that
performs
quite well, though, once again, not at the traditional Baidarka level.
http://home.arcor.de/hmaroske/node-i53.html
On the "singles" side, there is some room for comparison. The
Feathercraft
Khatsalano is the closest commercial folder to a Baidarka or Greenland in
dimensions, though the price puts it out of reach vs building a Baidarka,
or
Greenland kayak. The Fujita 480, and the comparable Feathercraft
Expedition
single are nice recreational kayaks, but at 24 - 25 inches wide, are no
match
for the traditional Baidarka or Greenland designs in performance.
Many people feel that Cross-sectioned non-traditional folder construction
is
inferior to the traditional rib construction of a Baidarka or Greenland
kayak,
but I feel that if properly designed and sized, a non-traditional baidarka
or
Greenland folder can hold it's own against the traditionally constructed
Baidarkas or Greenland designs.
My own homemade folders, constructed in a similar manner to a
feathercraft,
are capable of performing at a very high level. My most recent folding
design, at 17.2 LOA, 19.5in beam, 6.5" aft deck, is a high performance
Greenland "rolling" design. So, based on this alone, I'm sure that
commercial
folders can achieve the same level of performance. They apparently don't
feel
that there is a market ( read profit), for this type kayak. So, if you
are
considering making a Baidarka, you might just as easily consider making
your
own folder. http://yostwerks.com/Sea_Rider.jpg
On the other hand, if you are interested not in performance, but instead
great
stability, and load carrying capacity, then the folding doubles you
mention
may be what you actually need. With it's standard coamings in lieu of
washboards, narrower Beam, and lower deck, the Feathercraft Double would
be my
first choice of those you've listed.
Hope I haven't stepped on any toes, as it wasn't my intent.
Tom
-
Baidarka Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be
reproduced outside Baidarka or Baidarka archives without author's
permission
Submissions: baidarka@paddlewise.net
Subscriptions: baidarka-request@paddlewise.net
Searchable archive: http://rtpnet.org/robroy/baidarka
>
-
Baidarka Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be
reproduced outside Baidarka or Baidarka archives without author's permission
Submissions: baidarka@paddlewise.net
Subscriptions: baidarka-request@paddlewise.net
Searchable archive: http://rtpnet.org/robroy/baidarka
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b27 : Mon Sep 01 2003 - 01:30:02 EDT
