Thanks for the replies to this post

Eric> For airplane transportation the favourite boat is skin-on-frame

Because I'm building an Aleut-style stripper, I'd like to paddle it in the
area the Aleuts developed the shape: it's not that I'm building a boat that
is specifically intended for travel, but that I'd like to use the particular
boat in specific waters - a long way from the UK.

Eric> The question will be ... whether you'll stick to the strip and hard way

It's a specific sort of design I want to build - whether I can then make it
air transportable is the next question. I don't think I can build this as S+G,
as the shape is too complex (although Eric Schade has designed an S+G baidarka
which I admit looks pretty good).

Rob> I'm not sure I'd have the guts [to cut the boat]

I'm not sure I will either ! But it will be several months before I have
to commit to it :-)

Rob> I wonder if it's worth the hassle ... if you can rent near the put-in

I specifically would like to paddle this design off Alaska - it's not a boat
I could rent. The choice is between making it take-apart and travelling with
it, or shipping it (in one piece) in advance of travel.

Paul> If you cut about 1.5m off of each end would you be able to stuff one
> of these smaller pieces into the cockpit ?

From the forward bulkhead to the back of the cockpit is 1.2m - I don't think
it is worth taking a piece this small off the stern (or the bows for that
matter).

Eric> A three-parts project would have better proportions and would be more
> practical IMHO
Paul> The forward bulkhead is not the only place where you can split the boat
> ... weight penalty is probably about 8 lbs per slice

Weight is obviously a consideration - the penalty will be less for a split at
an existing bulkhead, and if I can get away with just one split, then that is
a major advantage. Even 8 lb looks a big penalty on a strip-built boat which
is intended to be fairly light (compared to a plastic or composite boat).

Thanks for the ref. to Erez's site, the photos there are really useful - I
had failed to find the post in the archives by making my search a bit too
specific :-(

Paul> Check and Check again on [whether an airline will take a 3.25m kayak
> section as normal hold baggage]

I believe the traditional kayakers' approach is simply to turn up at check-in
with a kayak, unannounced. As long as it is physically small enough to go as
hold baggage, it is simply easier for the airline to say yes, rather than no.
Scheduled flights are normally pretty good about carrying "sports equipment",
but I admit that it's a high-risk strategy (particularly since airlines are so much more careful at check-in since 9-11) unless one is confident about
being able to rent a replacement at short notice at the destination :-) On the other hand, airlines are struggling for customers, so it will pay them not to piss an international traveller off too much.

BTW, the link will tkae you to the web page for this project

Cheers, Andy