: Hey Guys & Gals,

: I'm thinkin' about trying an SOF for my next yak(well, maybe for my daughter)
: and I was wondering if some of you who have read more than one of the
: available SOF books prefer one over the others, and if so, which one.

: Also, my daughter needs a yak that isn't too terribly heavy. Approximately,
: how does the weight of an SOF compare with the weight, of say, a stripper
: of the same design. Realizing that there are so many factors involved,
: maybe I should put it this way: abt how much would the average
: (17'x19")SOF weigh? or better yet: whats the size of your SOF and abt
: how much does it weigh? And, what did it cost to build it?

: I'm just trying to get a "ball park" idea so I can decide whether
: to persue the SOF or just do a light layup on another stripper.

: Any responce will be much appreciated. TIA.

: Charles

Hi Charles

That's a pretty tall order there..
I think that depending on a persons charactor, wood skills, patience and desire to keep it traditional you are going to get as many different responses as there are SOF builders.

I have started boats using Mark Starr's book "Building a Greenland Kayak" and also one using a combination of Robert Morris' book "Building Skin-On-Frame Boats" and Chris Cunningham's book "Building the Greenland Kayak". Simply for the experience of using each authors techniques and makeing some sort of comparisons for ease of building.
Unfortunately I haven't completed them all as of yet.

And.. there are other books out there that I'm sure you will hear about, such as Petersons.. which I have yet to get a copy.

What I can tell you is, for ease of construction, for a one time boat, I liked Mark Starr's technique of lashing. It went quickly and was a lot of fun. Less time consuming that drilling and pegging if you are looking for quick. Although I like his method of making molds for ribs ( and it makes consistantly uniform ribs ) it takes some extra material for those molds.

I like the skeg style frame in Morris' book and will most likely use that on my boat when I'm done with the kids boats.

I also like Chris Cunningham's book as it's layed out very well, and I love his use of jigs ( which are a bit time and material consuming if you are only building one boat ). Also, Chris has TONS of extra information that you will really enjoy.

All three books are great and each has it's own shortcut techniques but for the most part, they are VERY similar..
Again, I can't comment on Petersons style or any others.
I don't think you would go wrong with any of these three books.
If you want quick... Probably Mark Starrs book.
If you want to build other style boats after the kayak, Morris' book has that.
If you want more than just the boat "stuff" then Cunningham's book is great!
All are very good reading and all will get you to where you are going.

My two frames are 12 and 13' long and are shaping up to be under 15lbs ( less skin ) using pine and ash for frame and ribs. I would guess in the area of 20 lbs when totally done and outfitted.

I think that you will enjoy building a Skin-On-Frame boat as it's a quick build and you can modify anything you want, build it to exact size, finish it with one of any cheap finishes and the cost is probably 1/3 of a stripper.

Go for it!

Rehd
chillin'@ 98* in
Fresno, Calif.