Hello to MS et al.
Did you build your bamboo kayak? If so how'd it turn out?
JMS

Q
Hi all.

: I'm a first time boat builder.
: Been "lurking" around for over a month now on Boatdesign
: forums, and other forums to learn about boats. I would like to
: build a Kayak, for using on the backwater canals. It's still
: water, not flowing, no plan to use it in the sea, the depth must
: be from about 2 feet to 14 feet, not much of debris or logs in
: the water, so I'm looking at a small Kayak Like boat. Like to
: get some suggestions from this forum.

: 1. Looking for it to be light. Very Light. say about 7 to 20 KG.
: 2. Happy with a single cockpit, now.
: 3. thinking of a skin on frame? Kayak
: 4. CHEAP. I'm building it in India, my resources are very meek.
: 5. Will use it for weekend trips, just to paddle around few KMs and
: back. Dunno if I would be camping etc...

: I have been active on a thread in boatdesignforums, here is the
: link to it:
: http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/boat-design/small-kayak-backwater-canals-25058.html

: BAMBOO:
: I plan to use Bamboo for the frame.
: Bamboo is cheap, I can get them in plenty. 20 feet bamboos, 10 - 15
: of them for about $7 to $10, which is like 1 inch to 1.5 inches
: in dia. Bigger bamboos are available, 20 footers, 5 inch dia for
: about $1, I plan to use these for the gunnels.
: The smaller bamboo will be used as stingers and ribs. Ribs can be
: made with bamboo bending, green bamboo bends well with heat,
: else will lash it like the Nansen Kayak. [google Nansen's bamboo
: Kayak]. I can procure "cane" which can be real sturdy,
: sanded, varnished, and bent! It stays real strong and the bend
: does not loosen. If bamboo does not work for ribs, I would use
: cane!

: Well the frame part is some what decided, as said above. I have to
: decide on the skin, the options I have are

: SKIN
: 1. Canvas Tarp
: 2. Polyester Cloth
: 3. Poly Tarp
: 4. what else is cheap you suggest?
: ----- What thickness of skin do I need? if polyester cloth, what
: thickness is needed? What type of treatment is needed for the
: cloth? please brief this or point me to a proper resource.

: ---------------------------------------------------
: a. How to skin my kayak?
: b. how to shrink it, [I have read about skinboat.org methods of
: heat shrinking, hot air gun]
: c. how to paint it? [ will regular oil paint do the job?]
: d. how to coat it with water-proof material?
: e. Should I varnish it? if so what type of varnish, the only
: commonly available is Wood Varnish, its thin and alcoholic.

: -----------------------------------------------------
: SIZE and structure:

: I weigh about 100 KG, and 5' and 10", I would like the boat to
: be about 8 feet to 10 feet, with a reasonable large cockpit.
: Please suggest the right length for the Kayak, stability
: matters, it will be a touring Kayak, I don't wanna get wet

: looking forward for some tips and tricks.
: thanks
: MS