Re: [Paddlewise] baidarka bow styles

--- Paul Montgomery <paul_at_paddleandoar.com> wrote:
> But my ultimate
> question was "does  
> anyone have any experience in those differences"?

Dear Paul, 
I've built and paddled replicas of baidarkas with the
three different bow-types you've referred to if that
counts for 'experience with those differences."  
While all three are called "baidarkas" they come from
two very different cultures: Aleut and Pacific Yupik. 
The two Aleut kayaks are separated by 100 years.  All
three kayaks are very different from eachother in form
and even the historical context of their creation and
function.  So, that said, each bow-shape likely worked
just fine or it probably would not have been made that
way.  I can't comment on one bow form being better
than another for modern use because these are just
minute elements of much larger systems-- and besides,
'modern use is a tremendous variable, nevermind
factors of personal preference. 
All the best, 
harvey 
http://www.traditionalkayaks.com/Kayakreplicas/KayakReplicas.html

> > On Aug 5, 2007, at 11:49 PM, Paul Montgomery
> wrote:
> >
> >> Sorry if this has been covered before, but I am curious as to which
> >> baidarka bow type is "best". Looking once again to Zimmerly's site
> >>
> >> http://www.arctickayaks.com/plans.htm
> >>
> >> there are the
> >> MAE593-76 - both pieces straight
> >> LM2-14886 - the upturned  fore piece
> >> Kodiak3-holeMAE536 - both upturned
> >>
> >> Perhaps Zimmerly covers this somewhere ( my copy
> of the book will be here later this week ).
> >>
> >> Apparently the first example ( both pieces straight ) fell out of
> >> style about 1850. So I assume that the others are technologically
> >> "more advanced". A change in style usually comes from new needs or
> >> perhaps different seas or even materials/tools.
> >>
> >> Does anyone here have hands on experience of what
> the differences are in the styles?
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