Traditional Inuit Qajaq

[johnfortune]

I\'m just wondering if anyone has, or knows anyone who has built a traditional skin-on-frame kayak in Ireland.

I\'m thinking of building one and I\'m looking for advice on cover materials and their availability and cost here. The options seem to be Cotton duck, untreated canvas and nylon.

I\'m not prepared to go all the way and cause another seal-clubbing controversy!
(\"Honestly, Garda, all of those seals just ran up and headbutted that iron bar that i was holding!\")

Any help appreciated.

P.S. - also looking for a small amount of untreated leather or rawhide to cut into strips. (Again, not willing to partially skin any live animals!)

[CeeGee]

I\'m building one at the moment! Using Chris Cunningham’s book - excellent! I’m going to cheat a little and skin in PVC using Thomas Yost’s technique. (i.e. glued instead of stiched seams). Havn\'t bought the fabric yet, but was in contact with from PointNorth in Anglesey http://www.profabrics.co.uk/index.php , and they sent some useful samples over. Thinking of using
http://www.profabrics.co.uk/shop/show_p ... id=PC16-09

Good luck,

Steve

[CeeGee]

Oh, and have a look at http://www.yostwerks.com/ for some interesting takes on skinning. I like the idea of a zip and flap running the length of the rear deck to the cockpit coaming. Can take the skin off for cleaning/repairs/storage then. The Inuit traditionally replace(d) the skin after 2-3 seasons, using the same frame with repairs as necessary.

P.S. I\'m trying to source artificial sinew - any ideas?

Steve

[MartinHodge]

johnfortune wrote:

looking for a small amount of untreated leather or rawhide to cut into strips.

Dog chews are made of rawhide - just soak them in water to make them pliable.

[johnfortune]

Thanks a lot, lads.
very useful stuff!

Steve, i\'d love to have a look at your timber frame if you haven\'t skinned it yet. please contact me on 087-7930158.
Thanks,
John.

[CeeGee]

I\'m at the rib stage - soaking as we speak. Will email you or post a couple of photos. May not be this weekend - hope to go to Kerry.

Biggest problem was getting knot-free end grain timbers for the gunwales (16 ft).

In other respects it doesn\'t look too different from the cover of Chris Cunninghams book.

Steve

scg (dot) dmw (at) esatclear (dot) ie

[img size=150] [img size=168]http://www.irishseakayakingassociation. ... /CCSOF.jpg[/img]Post edited by: Ceegee, at: 2007/07/06 17:45

[etienne]

You should try to get hold of a book calld \"Baidarka\" by George Dyson. Fascinating read and lots of discussion re materials. I built a North Star in cedar strip, but after reading Dyson\'s book I was sorely tempted to have a go at one of his skin boats myself. I may still. It would be great to see an online photo record of your project. Etienne. [img size=648]http://www.irishseakayakingassociation. ... /NStar.jpg[/img]Post edited by: etienne, at: 2007/07/06 23:20