> I'm interested in building a wood framed canvas covered kayak. . . .(I can't justify
> spending $1300+ on a rigid or folding kayak; but I can justify learning
> about their construction and spending $300 or so).

How about saving another $100?

First: Get the book by George Putz on canvas covered boats. It has plans for two different-sized boats and has a very readable text that completely covers every step in the process. It is about $20 from amazon.com, and worth it as a basic boat building knowledge, even if you decide to build using some other plans. The most recent estimate for building one of these from scratch is almost exactly $200 -- and the builder estimated he could build a second one for much less as he had left-over materials.

By the way, I posted a version of his plans that uses about 1/2 the amount of plywood, and will therefore save you about $20 more. The hull dimensions are identical, and the boats are identical, but the forms for building the boat are shorter and fit better on a piece of plywood.

Clark Craft's catalog offers descriptions of about a dozen different canvas skinned kayaks which are built over wood frames. One of them is a folding model. Last I checked the catalog was $5 and each set of plans was about $26. You can order the catalog from www.clarkcraft.com They also sell the real heavy canvas for covering these boats -- and at a reasonable price. Some plans call for attaching this with copper tacks. They have those, too. The canvas and tacks are listed in their free price list. If you don't want their catalog, at least get the free price list.

There are several links on this board to similar designs, including a set of plans and instructions by WA1URB (that is an amateur radio operator's call sign, and the guy apparently uses it as his online "handle", too)

Time and money wise it is hard to beat a boat built this way. With most designs you cut out the ribs from plywood, or you steam bend them, or you bend and laminate thin strips to make the ribs. This takes a day or two. (with Putz's plans you mount the lengthwise strips on building forms and replace ribs with floorbeams and a trestlework of additional thin strips of wood. It takes just a few hours longer.) The lengthwise stringers are made and attached (another couple of days work) then you build the cockpit, cover the thing with canvas and waterproof it. A little bit of trim on the outside and away you float.

Good luck in your project.

Paul G. Jacobson

Paul G. Jacobson