: I built a replica of this boat about six years ago using the exact
: (corrected) measurements. Initial stability is a little jittery but very
: solid on secondary. It's a fast, fun boat but I found it less maneuverable
: than a replica of the British Museum baidarka. Both handle rough water
: extremely well and are easy to roll.

Native designs, east or west are all work boats. They're designed to carry a load. Most of them have a vee section the length of the hull for improved tracking. In an unloaded state (rec. paddlers normal load) they have less initial stability. Documentation on baidarkas suggest that ballast rocks were normally used to increase stability when the kayak was not fully loaded.

The previous post just reminded me of one of the major modifications I've made to the baidarka designs I build. I have rounded out the vee section on the keel in the hull center to make initial stability better when the boat is paddled empty. I have also slightly increased the rocker of the bow. These modifications increase maneuverability.

I spoke with John Heath about the available surveyed lines for kayaks and he suggested that they are "idealized" versions. Many of the remains of native kayaks in museums are in very poor condition. Fragile ribs are crushed and the whole shape of kayaks change after years of storage not always tailored to retain the original shape. Hull rocker could easily dissapear from a kayak.

This made me thing of adding more rocker to the baidarka designs I developed. I've found the extra rocker I've introduced in my baidarka designs makes turning easier and yet doesn't reduce tracking.

And yes, the baidarka bow does kick up some spray in small short frequency waves, like the conditions on Saturday at the Newfound Rendezvous. In larger waves this dissapears.

All the best,

Rob Macks
Laughing Loon CC&K
www.LaughingLoon.com