Kayak Building Intensive: Aleut Ikyak (Baidarka)

This is an intensive course designed for the experienced skin-on-frame boatbuilder, who wants to design and build a Baidarka correctly the first time. This class is tailored for the student who only has a long weekend to spend in a workshop. Skin-on-frame boatbuilding is an art not a science. This is especially true for the Aleut Kayak (Baidarka). It is not difficult to make, but very difficult to make correctly for the individual. Baidarkas vary from 13’ to 19’ in length and from 17” to 27” in the beam. Together we will match your paddling strength with the drag and fiction of your kayak and customize the deadrise, shear and rocker to match your paddling style and skill level. The goal of the class is for each student to design and go home with an almost-completed frame. The ribs will be in and only some finishing lashing and accessories will be needed to complete the   frame. Then the nylon covering and urethane finish will need to be completed. Students will go home with the materials and print or CD instructions to complete these steps. By the end of the class all the designing will be finished and the kayak in progress can be easily transported.