: Good question, Bill. Leaning towards the Baidarka, for no other reason than
: liking it's distinctive appearance. Need to search/read up a bit more on
: the overall performance/characteristics of the design. Came across a post
: Tom Clark circa '95 re: 'Thoughts on building the Baidarka', by which he
: describes his construction of a George Dyson kit. I've seen some other
: aluminum frames out there in my web browsing, but have done no comparisons
: of one to the next.

: Upon further thought after my initial post, guess my major concern between a
: wood vs. aluminum frame would be the resulting 'feel' of the boat. Having
: bicycled forever on frames of various composition, know that the materials
: (and their geometry) have a significant bearing on how the end product
: feels. Don't know how much that carries over to boat, but can't help but
: think it does?

: Don't want a boat that is so rigid that it beats you up, much like many
: aluminum bicycle frames can do over long rides. Thinking the long boat
: should have some degree of flex. Seems using small gauged wood components
: would inherently allow for this. Wondering if the aluminum framework is
: overly rigid, or if that should even be a concern in such a boat?

: Todd

Hi Todd,

I just recently got a copy of George Dyson's Baidarka book, not read it yet, but it does detail his method of building in aluminum tubing. It's interesting, had thought of that many years ago when I was working with aluminum tube, though not on boats. He lashes the tubing in place so it's not completely rigid. Baidarkas from what I've come to understand are traditionally quite flexible. Wood though has an interesting characteristic that aluminum (or any other material for that matter) doesn't have, a virtually unlimited fatigue strength, it's also pretty and nice to work with.

Still aluminum is also fairly easy to work and has fairly high strength to weight. Alot will depend on what you have access to and are more comfortable working with.

Bill H.