The Aleutian Kayak: Origins, Construction, and Use of the Traditional Seagoing Baidarka (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"... the first-time builder will have little trouble making his or her boat... This is a book for those whose love of things natural has made them long for a change from the perfect glossy sameness of the mass-produced boats." -- Atlantic Coastal Kayaker

"Descriptions are clear, the photos illustrate the finer points, and the drawings offer helpful hints." -- Canoe & Kayak

"When I build my [baidarka], Wolfgang Brinck's book will be on my workbench." -- Cunningham, Chris, Sea Kayaker

Product Description

For true traditionalists, here are the first complete plans and detailed building instructions for authentic Aleutian Kyak--the ancient voyaging and hunting craft of the nomadic Unangan of Alaska. Based on originals in museums in Oregon and California, these lightweight (35 Pounds, 17 feet long) skin-on-frame sea kayaks can be built to fit the owner's exact dimensions, using simple hand tools and readily obtainable materials, for less than $200, including paddles, spray skirt, and traditional paddling jacket. Known as Baidarkas among the Russian settlers of Alaska, these unique native American craft evolved over centuries to carry heavy loads swiftly over long distances in wind and wave--ideal for modern sea kayakers looking for an alternative to plastic replicas of short-range Greenland-style boats.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Ragged Mountain Press; First Printing edition (April 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0070078939
• ISBN-13: 978-0070078932
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,351,033 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a profound experiance, April 11, 2001

By A Customer

Having built the boat in this book was a profound experiance for me. I now understand the workings of a kayak more intimatly and will never look at a plastic, fiberglass, kevlar or even plywood kayak the same. There were one or two times in the building of this boat that were frustrating, but I just stepped back took a day or so off, thought about it and worked my way through it. Mr. Brinck's instructions were as good as you can get, trying to explain as complex a project as this. His spiritual insights in the text were quite insprirational. I love my boat...it paddles wonderfully...and I am now a boat builder for life!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful work with tradition., January 30, 2000

By	P. Morrisey (Foster City, California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book helped me build a spectacular kayak. Beware, it can change your life. I am now a boatbuilder. Brinck's traditional methods are inspirational. The text left me with a few questions, but most of them were solved with re-reading, walking around the project a few times, or finding the Baidarka listserv on the net. Again, beware! If you buy this book you may spend the next six months in your garage.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Baidarka construction, February 20, 2000

By	[e-mail] (Woodstock, NY) - See all my reviews

I just finished building a traditional west greenland sea kayak. I can't wait to move on and build a baidarka. This book is an important guide for the traditional construction of an Aleutian Baidarka. This is an awesome book for anyone interested in building an authentic Aleutian Baidarka whether they have experience working with wood or not. I highly recommend it!