''Kayak Design''

Folding Baidarka and Greenland Kayak Design, Hints and Tips

What you're looking at is just an overview with a few interesting images. Here is more info on all our folding Baidarka designs:

[Design] [Construction] [Parts] [Joints] [3-D] [Complete Framework] [Skin The Frame]
[Stem] [Stern] [Rudder] [Gunwales] [Frames] [Stringers] [Cockpit]
[Materials] [Pump] [Sail] [Paddle] [This And That]

Well, the basic folding boat design procedure goes like this:

• Make Gunwales, put them together and spread them apart in the middle.
• Make frames by interpolating them in between the Gunwales and a temporary keel batten.
• Don't forget to install a good pump [Pump Hatch Cover at Early Stage]
  [Animated Pump Hatch Cover Insertion Video]
• Imagine a skin over the frames and try to take the boat apart. [Animated Cockpit Assembly Video]
  [Animated Center Frame Assembly Video]
  [Animated 2-Part Keel (Stretcher Bar) Assembly Video]
  

That was actually step one.

• Find out that the boat will not disassemble.
• Repeat step one until it does

That was actually step two.

• Now put a real skin on the frame. [PVC Skin Assembly Diagram (Sequence Hint)]
  [Demonstration: Skinning the Frame With PVC]
• Find out it will not fit without wrinkles. [Temporary PVC Skin (Trial Run)]
• Repeat step two until it does.

That was actually step three.

• Now try to disassemble the boat within the skin.
• Find out you will have to cut through parts to do it.
• Repeat step three until you get the boat apart without cutting parts or your fingers. Check for bloody thumbs.

That was actually step four.

• Now we have a boat that can be disassembled.
• Assemble it [Lostsoul: Animated Assembly Video]
• Find out you can't really do it in less than eight hours.
• Repeat until you can.

• Try to pack the disassembled boat in a suitable bag. [FAP-16: Folding the Skin (TDY)]
• Find out you can't.
• Throw the whole thing outta the window and goto step one :-)

Still reading?

We actually have managed to collect a few useful design and construction tips, and the purpose of the design page is to divert you into the appropriate sections, depending upon your preference. Since this is a 'crosswise' entry, you will have to use the button to get back to the design page.

Design bits and pieces:
SPY-10 Sailrig by Thomas Yost
Dyson Style Two-Seater Folding Baidarka by Thomas Yost: Seat and Frame
Zippers: Easy Loading
Deck Ties
Skin Quicklace
BIF-16 by Thomas Yost: Perfect Bow
Sliding a Curved Bifid Bow Into The Skin
Oval Aluminum Tubing
Thomas Yost: Bending Tubes
Bending Aircraft Tubes at Mark Smith's Shop
QUESTION: Pin Joint for Stringers
Skin Cutter
The PVC Glue
Kayak Camping: My Sail is My Home (Ready for the Night)
Epoxi
Rudder Pedals After Use
Simple Carrying Toggle