: There are some good reasons to built a kayak using anthropometric
: measurements, one of which is the experiential learning process, which
: gives insights into how the original kayakers built their boats. But there
: are probably better tools today to design a kayak to fit the specific
: needs of a specific paddler.

Mike,

although your arguments sound reasonable, consider that Greenlanders continue to build kayaks, and due to infusion with Danish blood, I was surprised to see a number of Greenlanders over six feet tall. Their kayaks are designed in the traditional manner and still have pleasing, proportional lines. Regarding the performance of the kayaks built to these larger anthropometric measurements, all I can say is that I was often in their wake, struggling to keep up. More and more Greenland women take up paddling each year. I don't know if women use a different set of anthropometric measurements, that is an interesting question and I'll check into it.

That said, consider that anthropometric measurements were not in any way "standardized" across the arctic. There were a different set of them for each kayak type and variation. Much of what you read today only applies to SW Greenland kayaks, and then not even all variations. For example, the popular measurement of the hips plus a fist on each side is for a "large" hunting kayak. The racing and rolling kayaks use a beam of the hips plus the flat on the hand on each side of the hips. Also consider that these measurements are only a starting point that is often modified greatly from past experience.

Whether you design a kayak with the latest Cray supercomputer or centuries-old-measurements, a kayak still has to fit you for maximum performance. The anthropometric measurements are a direct way of ensuring that the beam, length, volume and other factors will match your body dimensions, but only for one particular design. I prefer the feel of SW Greenland kayaks and the measurements work well for me. If you want more beam and volume, then the Greenland anthropometric measurements will not apply. As for length, the measurement of three arm spans works out to just under 18' for me, which is very close to the commerical kayaks that I prefer.

I have seen many homebuilts in which the owner rattled around in them and required thick hip pads to cope, or the rear coaming was so high to make rolling difficult. Unless of course, you prefer beamy, high volume kayaks, if you are going to build, why not build a kayak that fits you, rather than making adustments so that you fit it?

Greg Stamer
Orlando, Florida