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The journey ...

This web documentary records the process of designing and constructing a sea kayak using the wood strip method.



The design process and the selection of locally sourced materials has been informed by the intention of making a vessel that will possess a strong sense of place. It is intended that this kayak will engage meaningfully and harmoniously with the land and seascapes of Australia's east coast.



The principle materials of construction are Australian Red Cedar, Huon Pine, Spotted Gum, Humpback Whale bone, Sydney Turban shell, carbon fibre, kevlar and two pack resin.





The images and text below trace the journey ...











Thursday, August 19, 2010

Day 11 at the workshed - Righting the hull and milling Greenland Paddles

For the first time in this process the kayak hull is seen the right way up ...


At 6.1m in overall length this kayak spans from one end of the workshop to the other.
I have decided to relocate it this weekend to a harbourside boatshed where I can more readily access it and progress work on it when the kayaklings are tucked up into bed.

But before leaving all of Ian's very useful powertools behind we milled a few sections of Aust Red Cedar and Huon Pine for me to make a pair of Greenland Paddles. Note also the pieces of Spotted Gum (at the far end) which will be shaped into the blade tips. One paddle will be about 2300 mm in length. The other, a storm paddle, about 1900mm in length. Both of these dimensions have been calculated based on my arm / body reach and using the information provided here:
http://www.qajaqusa.org/QK/makegreen2.pdf.
Posted by Eastern Horizon