Willow ribs for SOF kayak
 

I've looked att he site showing a blue polytarp-covered kayak made with willow
switches for the ribs. This is a Q&D job just for fun. But, all seriousness
aside, why wouldn't willow limbs make good ribs?

Is there a traditional style that uses bent shoots for the ribs? It seems that
one could alternate the butts from starboard to port as you go along, or, since
the ribs are lashed and mortise/tenoned anyway, put a pair of butts each side
at the keelson, with a scarphed, lashed joint in the middle, the skinnier tips
tenoned into the gunnels. Larger willow limbs could do for the deck beams.

I am (obviously) not a kayak builder, but I've had an interest aroused over the
last few weeks for a SOF boat and have been thinking about materials.

OK, let's have it all, flames, references, what have you.

Cheers/The Fader
"LABOR SVGIT"

Willow ribs for SOF kayak
 

the best ribs bend when building but not when paddling

Wiz ) writes:
I've looked att he site showing a blue polytarp-covered kayak made with willow
switches for the ribs. This is a Q&D job just for fun. But, all seriousness
aside, why wouldn't willow limbs make good ribs?

Is there a traditional style that uses bent shoots for the ribs? It seems that
one could alternate the butts from starboard to port as you go along, or, since
the ribs are lashed and mortise/tenoned anyway, put a pair of butts each side
at the keelson, with a scarphed, lashed joint in the middle, the skinnier tips
tenoned into the gunnels. Larger willow limbs could do for the deck beams.

I am (obviously) not a kayak builder, but I've had an interest aroused over the
last few weeks for a SOF boat and have been thinking about materials.

OK, let's have it all, flames, references, what have you.

Cheers/The Fader
"LABOR SVGIT"


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Willow ribs for SOF kayak
 

Brian,

Amazon lists this book *used* for US$95. I don't think I'll be buying *that*
one :-)

Cheers/Carron

Wolfgang
Brinck's book "The Aleutian Kayak" is a good place to start.


"LABOR SVGIT"

Willow ribs for SOF kayak
 

PAMKILL (Wiz) wrote in message ...
Brian,

Now *there's* a hatful of good information in a small sentence :-)

Thanks for the references. I'll get them all up.

cheers/Carron

Well, if you have a good supply of willow and the desire, go for it. Wolfgang
Brinck's book "The Aleutian Kayak" is a good place to start. You might also
want to
join the Baidarka email list and start hanging out on the Kayak Building
Forum
(www.kayakforum.com) and the Greenland forum at Qajaq USA (www.qajaqusa.org).




"LABOR SVGIT"

I agree, just build the thing and try. What could it cost?? 10 bucks
for a tarp and 5 more for lashings... Of course you could soak strips
of the switches and lash the whole thing with willow strips too! Post
us some pics when you are done...