Subject: Re: [baidarka] Bamboo revisited; for stringers??
From: Peter Chopelas (pac@premier1.net)
Date: Fri Jan 20 2006 - 14:36:30 EST
Jack Gilman wrote:
>Hi All-
>
>Seems like Ill have a bit of time this winter to
>build boats, and was looking for a way to build a skin
>baidarka as cheaply as I can. Lots of time, no $$$...
>
>A friend of mine has access to a grove of bamboo where
>she works. We looked at it today. Lots of fairly
>straight plants, but with a diameter that would most
>likely be too large for gunnel/chine/keel (1.5-2.5in).
>The stuff with a 3/4in diameter is too short. Id be
>looking to construct the boat like a Tom Yost design.
>that is frames/stringers, no ribs like traditional
>boats.
>
>Do you think I could get useable, strong pieces split
>out of the larger diameter stuff? Or is it suitable
>only for ribs? Has anyone tried this approach?
>
>
>
this has been done, you can also cut strips and laminate them. Many
kayaks have been built with bamboo, almost anything can be used that has
reasonably straight grain. Bamboo would not be my first choice, it is
not actually that strong and it has little rot resistance. I look for
salvaged or used lumber and rip it myself. I have seldom paid for wood
for my kayaks, I just keep my eyes open for people tearding down old
buildings or doing remodels, they will usually let you take all you
want. If you have access to a table saw, this is the cheapest way to
go. You could even hand cut and plane them to size if you do not have
access to a table saw. It usually only takes a hour or two to rip all
the stringers you need from one good peice of lumber on a home table saw
(it does not have to be perfectly clear, just mostly clear and plan your
cuts of the gunwales around the large knots and try to keep the smaller
ones toward the ends and away from the edges). I have even used less
than perfect lumber, and simply laminated a "repair" splice over the
weak spot I was worried about, and I have never had a problem. I know
some have even done full scarf joints on gunwales, though I am not that
brave.
Most of the kayaks I have built have had a total out of pocket cost of
$30 to $40 each, most of which is the cost of the fabric. I have even
bought left over oil based paint or clear polyeurethane finish at Garage
sales for $1 a gallon. Now if I can only find a salvage sourse for
large peices of nylon or polyester fabric I can bring the cost down to
only a few dollars!
Peter
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