> Where do I find info on the Putz Walrus. What materials are needed?

> Larry

Larry,

Hit your favorite bookstore, or one of those on the internet, and buy George Putz's book. All the plans and info are in it.

The URL from Amazon.com:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0071559396/qid=940221623/sr=1-1/002-1913216-2301068

He has a method of describing how to make the building forms that I think is a bit difficult to follow. I've posted an alternate method (graph the 7 points, connect the dots) that gives you a form that uses less plywood but gives the same hull shape.

Other than that, Putz has a very readable book which I have enjoyed. Watch for the areas of sly humor.

If the fabric you have is suitable, you can probably build a frame to put it on for about $100 to $150. Paint will set you back another $30 to $50 if you go for top of the line stuff, and then, by most estimates, you should be able to have a fine kayak for under $200. Scrounge a bit and you might even do this for under $100.

What exactly defines 'suitable' is a darn good question. If you are dealing with plain old canvas you want something that is tightly woven and will accept some form of waterproof coating that you can apply. This canvas can be made of natural or synthetic fibers. It needs to be strong enough to resist tears if you should hit a rock. Just about anything that is as durable, or more, than the fabric on a new pair of blue jeans seems to work. Or, you want a fabric that is already coated with a waterproof coating. You may have some of those already.

Tent materials are generally coated with a water resistant coating, and need to have a better coating applied. Not a big deal.

If you use a fabric that is already waterproofed or coated, it would be nice if you had some suitable glue that would allow you to seal any cutsor seams you had to make in it.

You have made bags from these materials. If you can make a dry bag that won't leak, then the material should be just fine, and whatever method you have for sealing the seams should be just fine, too, at least for protected water. For open water you would have to do some paddling in various conditions to build your confidence in the material.

Hope this helps.

Paul G. Jacobson