Publisher Description

Although books on strip building canoes abound, this is among the first to adapt the technique to crafting attractive, functional kayaks. Using high-quality, computer-generated illustrations and photographs to explain key techniques, the book provides complete plans and measurements for three different kayaks: 1) A simple solo craft for beginners, 2) A high-performance solo kayak for intermediate paddlers, and 3) A tandem design for two paddlers. With its easy-to-follow guidance and instructions, The Strip-Built Sea Kayak makes top-notch kayaks accessible to budget-minded paddlers.

Back Cover

Strip-building--assembling a pile of thin wood strips into a functional hull--has been a popular canoe-building method for many years. Now boatbuilder Nick Schade, an engineer by training and a self-professed sea kayaking addict, has refined this time-tested method to build the more complex shapes of sea kayaks. The method is simple, forgiving, allows a liberal amount of design flexibility, and requires a minimum number of tools. It's also relatively inexpensive: about $500 to $600 for one of the designs discussed here--one-quarter the price of a factory-built model. In The Strip-Built Sea Kayak , Schade presents full plans for three elegant designs inspired by the grace and seaworthiness of the Inuit and Aleut skin boats. Profusely illustrated instructions provide the details that will guide you through the process. A complete novice will be able to construct a finished kayak after reading nothing but this book. And for an experienced builder, the techniques here can be expanded to create the perfect boat for you. Strip-building is the most flexible, forgiving, and attractive way to build a small wood boat. Professional sea kayak builder Nick Schade presents complete plans and measurements for three kayaks: Great Auk, a fast, stable, comfortable single for beginners Guillemot, a beautiful, high-performance single for intermediate and skilled paddlers Guillemot Double, a spacious kayak for two Here's all the information you'll need to build a sturdy, elegant sea kayak, from setting up shop to making a paddle. "Nick Schade has managed to raise the craft of strip-building to the art of graphic design in wood."-- Sea Kayaker

Author Biography

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Table of Contents

AcknowledgmentsIntroductionPart I The Background1 Why Build A Kayak?Why Use Wood?Why Use Strips?2 How Design Affects PerformanceStabilityThe Importance of SpeedManeuverability and TrackingVolume, or Interior SizeChoosing the Right BoatSome Proven Designs3 Tools and MaterialsToolsMaterials4 LoftingOffsets for the Hull FormsOffsets for the End FormsDrawing the PatternsMaking Small ChangesPart II The Building Process5 Getting StartedWhere to BuildCutting the StripsCutting FormsThe StrongbackAligning Forms6 Building the Hull & DeckStripping the HullStripping the DeckFinishing the EndsFairing7 Fiberglassing and FinishingFiberglassingThe Coaming UpMaking the HatchesInstalling Cheek PlatesJoining Hull and DeckUsing a SheerclampFinishing Off8 Artistic CreationPatterns from StripsDotted LinesDressing Up the SurfacePart III After It's Done9 Fitting OutThe SeatFootbracesKnee and Thigh BracesBulkheadsDeck LinesHatch GasketsGrab-LoopsRudders10 And a Paddle to MatchMaking the ShaftMaking the BladesRounding the ShaftFiberglassing the PaddleVariations on a ThemeTools for PaddlesMaterials for Paddles11 Maintenance and RepairsYearly Wear and TearBad ScratchesDealing with BruisesPatching HolesPart IV AppendicesA-1 Materials ListA-2 Material & Tool SourcesWoodGlass and ResinOutfitting and ToolsBooksA-3 Sources of PlansA-4 Custom DesigningDesigning Your Own BoatStealing DesignsModifying a DesignMoving the CockpitLast WarningA-5 English and Metric Conversion FactorsA-6 SafetyDangers in the ShopOn the WaterA-7 GlossaryA-8 BibliographyIndex

Review

"Nick Schade has managed to raise the craft of strip building to the art of graphic design in wood" Sea Kayaker

Review Quote

''Nick Schade has managed to raise the craft of strip building to the art of graphic design in wood''

Details