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Christopher Cunningham

Building the Greenland Kayak : A Manual for Its Contruction and Use Paperback – November 26, 2002

by Christopher Cunningham (Author)

137 ratings

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This step-by-step guide to building a lashed-frame, fabriccovered sea kayak is both a means to a sleek, fast, universally admired boat and an excellent introduction to woodworking and boatbuilding for hobbyists. The Inuit design scales up or down to fit the paddler and can be built using $150 worth of hardware-store materials, a few basic tools, and a minimal investment of time. Also included: plans for a low-volume version designed for Eskimo rolling; an especially stable version for children; and discussions of kayaking equipment, paddling, and rolling techniques.

Print length

240 pages
Language

English
Publisher

International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press
Publication date

November 26, 2002
Dimensions

7.25 x 0.47 x 9.25 inches
ISBN-10

0071392378
ISBN-13

978-0071392372
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Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Christopher Cunningham has been the editor of Sea Kayaker magazine since 1989 and has been building kayaks since 1979. He has taught Greenland kayak construction at the WoodenBoat School and has built scale models of traditional kayaks for the Alaska State Museum. His Greenland kayak construction and paddling skills have been documented in several videos, and he has lectured on and demonstrated those skills in North America and Europe.

From the Back Cover

Take to the water in style for less than $300 and a few weekends and evenings of work

Simplicity, elegance, performance, and speed: these are the hallmarks of the Greenland kayak. Its low profile minimizes windage, and its narrow beam makes it well behaved in rough water and fast. Despite its ancient origins, the Greenland kayak is lively, versatile, and responsive even by modern standards.

Building the Greenland Kayak leads you step-by-step through the process of crafting your own lashed-frame, fabric-covered, custom-fitted Greenland kayak, using inexpensive, easy-to-find materials and common woodworking tools. Master boatbuilder Christopher Cunningham provides plenty of tips and pointers to help you build a kayak that is strong, flexible, and perfectly scaled to your dimensions. Great for the accomplished boatbuilder and the novice alike, this easy-to-use manual includes

Easy-to-follow building instructions accompanied by hundreds of photos
Complete lists of all the tools and materials you'll need
Detailed primers in lumber milling, fastening, rib bending, and measuring
Additional instructions for making a Greenland paddle, paddling clothing, float bags, skegs, and more
Pointers on paddling skills, kayak rolling, and children's kayaks

Publisher ‏ : ‎ International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press; 1st edition (November 26, 2002)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0071392378
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0071392372
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.6 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.25 x 0.47 x 9.25 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #322,967 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #127 in Kayaking
- #354 in Boating (Books)
- #462 in Ships (Books)

Customer Reviews:
137 ratings

Customer reviews

5 star		67%
4 star		21%
3 star		7%
2 star		3%
1 star		2%

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Top reviews from the United States

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Amazon Customer

This book is good. I like that it relates back to the ...

Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2018

Verified Purchase

This book is good. I like that it relates back to the original kayak builders and how they measured things. However, sometimes it is hard to find the data or dimensions I'm looking for. Some of the wood choices appear to be very regional, it really matters what kind of wood you can find locally.
Sometimes the diagrams and instructions are hard to follow. That being said, I have used some other online sources and between those and the book I am having a great time building my kayak.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Kindle Customer

I bought the book, I built the kayak

Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2011

Verified Purchase

I was searching for a build guide or set of plans to build myself a kayak that I would be proud to be seen in and paddle. After a lot of searching and posting questions on Kayak Build forums I pretty soon discovered that "Building the Greenland Kayak" by Chris Cunningham is one of the most informative and successful guides you can get. So I bought the book and followed along, like any instruction manual there are parts that you don't get the first time, maybe even the third time, but all I can empahisize is that you re-read that section, you'll get it in the end. For me, I got confused in the section to do with rib sizing, I just did not get the instructions the first time I read it. This book takes you step by step on how to re-create an authentic and very pleasing kayak, both to paddle and to look at. My build took me a year and I didn't skin my kayak the way Chris did, I followed a more new age method using balistic nylon and a 2 part polyeurathane resin which worked fabulously. The result is a kayak that starts conversations, gets warm welcomes in any boating circles and usually draws attention at any kayak put in or venue. So if you are shy, buy a plywood kit or a plastic kayak, don't build one of these.

The wood working skills needed to complete this build aren't cabinet maker quality, but you need to be able to plane to a line, cut straight lines and make good joints. If you can cut mortise and tenon joints well by hand you'll have all that you need. Hand power tools are not essentials, but well recommended and all I can stress is that you take your time. The most time consuming piece being the rib cutting, soaking and steaming. Wood varies incredibly when it comes to steaming and soaking, what works for one person may and most likely will not work for another. So be patient, I spent nearly 4 months on getting the ribs right and I'm pleased I took the time and didn't rush or settle for anything less than a near perfectly steamed rib. Make sure you read the book from cover to cover before you start and keep notes for when you build the next one.

The result is a kayak that will paddle very well in the sea and in cross winds, it'll be comfortable, and you'll be the envy of all your kayaking friends. It's well worth the time and effort, you won't be sorry when you get to take the first paddle. The kayak will be light, easy to carry and will handle very well. You'll be very happy you built it and you'll probably end up building more than one.

Update - It's now 4 years since I built my greenland kayak following the instructions in Chris's book. I still am so pleased when I paddle it, as nothing else paddles so effortlessly and I still get lots of comments from people who see me with it or in it where ever I am.

11 people found this helpful

Helpful

Lowell Alia

You have to read a lot, over and over to make this book

Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2019

Verified Purchase

A good instructional book overall. Disappointed that the pictures are in black and white. The pages are not glossy, cheap paper material.
The author put in a lot of details though. Too much details for me. There are other instructional books and media in the internet which are simpler that produces the same result.
You have to read a lot and imagine what the author wants you to do to get the results he wants you to have.

Helpful

Brian

Satisfying. Kindle version less desirable

Reviewed in the United States on June 13, 2013

Verified Purchase

I purchased the Kindle version. I love my Kindle, and the iPad kindle app, but I would in hindsight have preferred to buy the paper version.

As a book, this is perfect. If you wish to build a boat, and you find the Greenland kayak seductive, this book will place all the tools you need in your hands. The outcome will be excellent. The descriptions are clear, and the process is elaborated in all necessary detail.

As a kindle book, however, I found that the illustrations were just that little bit less legible. Looking for a precise picture of how the knots are tied, for example, left me in the dark. Trial and error will work, but I found that you really need a hard copy to work with. Using a kindle in the workshop just will not do. You could - and will - build in steps, so you can read, place the book away and get to work, and return for a cup of tea and re-read. That would work. As a simple read, ,if you are interested and want to find out more, the kindle version will be perfect for you.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

RGMac

Excellent - the one guide you need

Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2004

Verified Purchase

If you are interested in building a traditional, relatively authentic West Greenland ocean kayak, one of the most gorgeous watercraft ever built, this is your book. Cunningham lays out the task from beginning to end with clarity and wit, and the process is topped off with explanations and plans for traditional paddling gear such as floats and tuiliks, the one piece "dry suits" that fit over the coaming. The book can be confusing in places, but this rests in large part on the fact that the measurements are anthropometric in nature. There can't be measured drawings for something that is going to be different for every person. The kayak you build will be completely custom made to fit you, and noone else, so he can't get too energetic with the tape measure. What you do get are step by step explanations for HOW you arrive at those measurements, so that you can make boats for yourself and anyone else. The frame is pretty authentic, other than that dimensioned lumber is used - you would have trouble telling a drawing of this frame from a drawing of an original Inuit frame. Of course the big departure is the skin, which in our case is not seal skin but rather ballistic nylon and two part polyurethane dope. Not traditional, but gorgeous, waterproof and long lasting. You can expect to get 10 years out of a well cared for boat - not bad for a boat you built yourself in a few weekends, for about the cost of a good touring paddle. If you're looking for a quicky project, or one that you can knock together out of plywood with the Scout Troop, look elsewhere. But if you're looking for the real deal, you've found it. Highly recommended.

30 people found this helpful

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

ExplorerJust

If you could choose only one...

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 14, 2021

Verified Purchase

I ordered three books on building skin-on-frame kayaks at the same time. If I'd bought this book first then I possibly wouldn't have ordered the other two. Although more knowledge is always a good thing, too much can lead to decision and action paralysis. Just buy this on end make a start... read the others once you've got a project under your belt!

D. K. Talbot

Informative book!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 3, 2017

Verified Purchase

Great content written in an easy to understand style, looses one star because (in common with pretty much every other similar sort of book published in the USA) the photographs, of which there are many, are low quality black and white images and while that might be understandable in a book from the 1970s there is really no excuse for one published in the 21st century.

2 people found this helpful

gethinb

Trim some wood off this design and you should have a really decent boat.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 1, 2014

Verified Purchase

Lots of detail, but the design is somewhat compromised by a "western mindset".The design describe is likely to be a lot heavier than the real macoy but the book still well worth the money.

One person found this helpful

Oliver Day

Exellent, unbelievably good book!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 29, 2014

Verified Purchase

This book is great. Tells the beginner how to build a skin on frame kayak from start to finish with details on size and shape tailored to the individuals build, personal touches, history, technique in the water, an alternative folding design, and more, packed with photographs too.

Fabio Vitale

Very interesting

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 30, 2012

Verified Purchase

I think that in this title, as usual in this kind of books, pro and cons are found in the same peculiarity: the author describes step by step his way of building, not investigating alternative solutions. But if I have to point out a single dislike, I say that I would have been pleased to find more about the kayak's design presented in the book. It's just a personal point of view, because I'm deeply fond of boat design and its relation with function.

See all reviews

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