Kayak and Canoe Design Bulletin Board

Modifying Walrus Dimensions *Pic*

Posted By: Mike Hanks
Date: Tuesday, 13 June 2000, at 1:08 p.m.

I am working on modifying the Walrus again. I have previously raised the bow 4" and moved the cockpit back 2" with excellent results.

I have now narrowed the beam around 2". It was previously 16'10" x 22" hard-chined West Greenland style skin kayak. In narrowing the forms, I did not change the total deadrise, but I did give it a sharper angle of deadrise. I feel this will be acceptable because the previous version was VERY stable (much more stable than my 1" wider Arctic Tern) and had excellent maneuverability. I am hoping to increase tracking and top speed and decrease paddling effort at cruising speed, without sacrificing too much maneuverability. I am also hoping to make it easier to roll. The previous version also had plenty of freeboard. The depth from the keel to the rear deck on previous versions is about about 7" or 8". I may lower the sheer at the cockpit a little more.

My question is how much I should lengthen this version? I was thinking of lengthening it to 17'6" or 18'. I weigh about 175 when dressed to paddle and the kayak will weigh in the low to mid 30s. It will be used for day trips in Puget Sound. I don't expect that it will see many waves over 3'. Anyone have any opinions on how much I should lengthen it, and why that amount?

Photos of my previous Walruses (Walrii???) are available at http://members.aol.com/chanks7675/kayak.html and http://www.members.tripod.com/sswoodenkayakclub/trip_pics.htm The skin version is close to Putz's specs but the bow was raised 1-1/2" and the stern was raised 1". I bumped the bow up to a total a 4" above specs for the plywood version. The kayak in the back is my Arctic Tern.

I hope to have it ready to finish skinning (and later paddlable) at the West Coast Wood Canoe and Kayak Rendezvous, in August.

Mike

Walrus Photos

Messages In This Thread

Modifying Walrus Dimensions *Pic*
Mike Hanks -- Tuesday, 13 June 2000, at 1:08 p.m.

Re: Modifying Walrus Dimensions *Pic*
Hans Friedel -- Wednesday, 14 June 2000, at 4:39 p.m.

Re: Modifying Walrus Dimensions *Pic*
Mike Hanks -- Saturday, 17 June 2000, at 2:36 a.m.

Re: Modifying Walrus Dimensions
Dean Trexel -- Friday, 16 June 2000, at 9:28 p.m.

Re: Modifying Walrus Dimensions
Mike Hanks -- Saturday, 17 June 2000, at 2:10 a.m.

Re: building a skin-on-frame
Dean Trexel -- Saturday, 17 June 2000, at 10:15 p.m.

Re: building a skin-on-frame
Mike Hanks -- Sunday, 18 June 2000, at 11:18 p.m.

Re: building a skin-on-frame *Pic*
Greg Stamer -- Monday, 19 June 2000, at 3:33 p.m.

Re: foreward cockpit
Dean Trexel -- Monday, 19 June 2000, at 6:17 p.m.

Re: building a skin-on-frame
Mike Hanks -- Monday, 19 June 2000, at 9:57 p.m.

Re: building a skin-on-frame
Greg Stamer -- Tuesday, 20 June 2000, at 9:35 a.m.

Re: building a skin-on-frame
Dean Trexel -- Monday, 19 June 2000, at 6:24 p.m.

Re: building a skin-on-frame
Mike Hanks -- Monday, 19 June 2000, at 7:04 p.m.

Re: building a skin-on-frame
Dean Trexel -- Monday, 19 June 2000, at 9:15 p.m.

Re: bending jig
Mike Hanks -- Monday, 19 June 2000, at 9:38 p.m.

Re: Modifying Walrus Dimensions
David Bryson -- Thursday, 22 June 2000, at 10:40 a.m.

Re: Modifying Walrus Dimensions
Mike Hanks -- Thursday, 22 June 2000, at 8:05 p.m.

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