West Greenland Kayak Building

(Ballistic nylon version)

Photographic Diary

The kayak frame was built using spruce, and oak for the ribs.  The skin of this kayak is ballistic nylon, it weighs in at 13kg and is 17'4" long.

The gunwales are lashed into position

West Greenland Kayaks are made to measure their user.  Here we are

taking the measurements of Michael's 'rocking point' and determining the

best position for the masik

The deckbeams are fixed with wooden dowels and then...

...lashed to the gunwales for added strength and flexibility

Attaching the stem to the keel

The notches are ready for the ribs

Steam bending the oak ribs into the jig

Securing the ribs with clips to allow them to settle into place

Lashing the ribs to the keel

The stem and gunwales are also lashed and secured with wooden dowels

Sitting pretty

Determining the position of the foot-rest and beginning to attach the skin

The ballistic nylon is stretched over the frame and stitched into place

The cockpit rests onto the masik and deckbeam but is stitched and secured to the fabric only, and so in essence 'floats'

The view from inside the kayak

Making the double ended paddle

The polyurethane coat gives a translucent, light and very durable finish