: Shawn, Tom & Gang: Fished-up from the discussion below: The problem being
: that a sweptup bow combined with an important rocker could bring down the
: bow.
: Interesting building solutions from sites: http://www.faltbootbasteln.de
: see under Hartel-Faltboote, the Aijuk kayak. Also: http://www.pouchboats.com

: See under: Amateur Folding Boat Builder's Corner
: See: Three Greenland Folding Boats Projects by Volker Born

: Tavvauvusi

Hi Eric,

Wow ! I've been into both sites many times, but never saw the "Aijuk" before.
Georgeous ! Volker's kayak has always impressed me with it's clean, trim lines.

Both kayaks share one common design characteristic. Both have little or no
rocker. Therefore, the upward sweep of both the chines and gunwales, is
actually very little. In the case of the "Aijuk's" very odd looking chines,
I would suppose that the radical and abbreviated upward turn is a pemanent
bend, much the same as the bent ribs of an Traditional SOF.

The bow plates, being shaped, not bent, offer no reflex. Either kayak could
easily be reproduced in aluminum.

Germany has long been in the forefront of Folding kayak design and
manufacturing, and indeed produced many high performance Greenland designs
like the 'Aijuk". It's too bad that most designs of this type are no longer
available.

I was surprised to read a while back that Japan produces in one year
more folding kayaks than all other countries combined. But, with
the crowded living conditions there, it really makes sense.

Thanks a lot for presenting these beautifu kayaks.

Tom