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Kayak and Canoe Design Bulletin Board
Re: Baidarka thingamajig n stuff
Posted By: Greg Stamer In Response To: Baidarka thingamajig n stuff (Pete W P)
Date: Tuesday, 25 January 2000, at 10:44 a.m.
> I've read more than once about people wondering what the purpose of that
> double pronged whale bone thingamajig on the bow of a baidarka . I have a
> couple of ideas on that.... SNIP
>Pete,
The Aleuts generally had open water year round, unlike the Greenlanders who often place bone protective strips on their kayaks and paddles to protect them from ice.
Although I have read of whalebone being used on some arctic kayaks, it is my understanding that the bifid bow of an Aleutian baidarka was constructed of wood, covered in seal skin. There are various theories of why this shape was used and perhaps it was a combination of factors such as tradition, spirituality and performance. What we do know is that the bifid bow, which is wide at the top and narrows to a fine point, creates a concave bow cross section, a very difficult shape to obtain with a skin covered frame.
I would not use the word crude to describe either these kayaks or their makers. The Aleut kayaks are a very sophisticated design and many of their components (bone joints, flexible frame, bifid bow) are still a mystery and provide plenty of food for thought for contemporary designers.
Greg Stamer
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