June 13, 2012
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A Kayak From the Dump
As the title reads, I got a Kayak from the dump... but not in the way you light think. I didn't stroll down to the dump and find a used boat bring it home and, Tadda! done.
I went down, scavenged some materials and after a few days had myself a very seaworthy vessel.
Before i get into this huge post i want to get something straight. A kayak, is the southern word for my vessel. Up here, where the boat originated it can be referred to as a qayaq or qajaq... all the terms are, pronounced similarly and are correct. Also my qayaqs are built using traditional Inuit methods... all joins are made with mortise and tenon joints, pegs and tied off with rope. No nails!!!
So here we go, a traditional skin on frame Qajaq.
I have built two before down south over a summer a few years back. There i had the luxury of perfect/brand new supplies, all the tools someone would need and a ideal workspace. Most of those statements did not apply here.
As i already said most of the wood i found at the dump, certainly not the right length. The skin/canvas was the cheapest fabric that would do the job at Fabricland. The tools i used were mainly hand tools that i purchased in the summer and sent up on our sea lift. Lastly the work space was on top of a box behind our house that was constantly wet and boggy.
So... before the first photograph i took two 2x5x10 boards and scarfed/joined them together. Also i have already chiseled all the slots on the bottom for the ribs to fit into. The spreaders in the centre are the same ones i used for my other two boats.... this was great because i didn't have to use very much math this time..
Here i have the profile of the qajaq set and ready for the deck beams to be added.
The deck beams pegged into place, now on to the installation of the ribs
The ribs i measure and pre cut, then i boiled each rib for a bit to soften the wood and then bent them into the shape i needed.
The next few steps i didn't take the time for photos... You missed the installation of the keel the stem and stern boards and the chines/side keels
Here is the result of those steps
Notice the two curved deck beans they are to help accommodate me when i slide in. There is still one curved beam left which you'll see later.
here is a closer look at one of the chines and some of the knot work
Another look at some of the knots
frame complete!This is look from the from to the back. Also you can see the final curved deck piece, Called a masik and two angle deck stringers leading from it. It might be different from what you are used to be seeing. Here instead of an oval opening. Pangnirtung has traditionally had a more keyhole shape.
A look insideAfter i finished the frame i slapped a coat of black Tremclad on it to help avoid rot.
sewing the whole thing up
Sewn and painted with more Tremclad with the combing/cockpit installed
I used qamotiq runner ( sled runner ) for the combing and a chunk of wood that i found laying around for the back
more runner for a skid plates on the bottom
Just the deck lines left
Finished and ready for the ocean
a close look at the lines, the positions and amount i took from some old images from here.
I should mention that of course the boat was named... A good inuk friend of mine up here named it " The Helloraluk" which loosely translates to the big hello. I think its a perfect name!
In the water and ready to go
I was very pleased at the stability of it
off i go
Way in the distance, just past the tidal drop off
a few huge chunks of ice i paddled by
Picking my way back through the ice as it was closing in
One happy paddler
Looking towards Cumberland Sound
looking towards Auyuittuq National Park choked with iceA short video i made while i was out, of the tide falling
So thats that, I leave with Abby for the south in a few days...weather permitting... and Nic will follow in a few days...
Have a good summer everyone, Maybe we'll see some of you soon
TTYL
M&N&A
