> Mike, Thanks so much for the clarification(s). About the depth to sheer
> thing, what is the fist-thumb thing?? Is this an old, Inuit thing? The
> article says 5.75-6.5 inches. Is there another way to determine this
> depth? ie based on ones height or weight...? Or should I just go ahead and
> stick out my thumb, reminiscing about my days in jr. high??

The t&f thing and the 5.75-6.5" refer to the same location except the t&f thing is f'ed up by including the gunwale dimension while the other doesn't. If you have slim thighs and butt - prob. the smaller, if you're lardass - mock it up or choose the larger.

> About the keelson-in the article it is listed as 1x1. However, it appears much
> thinner than it is wide. How thick do you think it must be?

Keelson is 1/2" deep ( 4x thickness of 1/8 ribs in pic). Width guess is 1.25" or 1.5".

> Another question that comes to mind is what sort of finish ought to be
> given to the wood? When? Thanks again for your reply. Kelly

Look in the baidarka archive for sure or way back (1yr?) in this archive. I saw some mention of linseed oil but I would guess there are better products. I would put the finish on as soon as possible in (before and during)the tying process as possible to protect the end grain exposed in the holes drilled - but this may be anal - I just don't know. You gotta read elsewhere from people who know. Spend an evening reading all the baidarka posts and printing the good ones out so you have a "book" to refer to. Check your library also.

As an aside, because it is starting out fishform already, I would becareful to keep the 6"+- dimension going well behind your body c/l (2 feet?) before tapering up so you don't get the low volume rear hull problems that Morris encountered. I also would be strongly tempted to split the leading edge of the hull stringers in the same way as the keelson in order to put a bend in them and not rely so much on the rope to give them their bend. This way if the string ever breaks, the hull retains its shape.

Good luck and tell us how yer doin

-mike