Re: [Paddlewise] baidarka bow styles

--- Paul Montgomery <paul_at_paddleandoar.com> wrote:

> Perhaps I could rephrase my question or better yet
> put forth a series  
> of questions.
> - On a kayak with all other elements being the same
> would there be a  
> discernible difference between the 3 types of bows.

I don't believe there would be.

> - On a kayak with a Greenland style of hull, would a
> baidarka bow  
> have a discernible effect.

Probably not.

> - On a baidarka style hull, would a 'standard' bow
> be 'just as good'  
> as the baidarka bow.

Probably. 

--these are answers that would suggest that the
Aleutian style baidarka bows do not contribute
anything special to a kayak, however when that
particular shape is used in conjunction with the
structure (not neccessarily hull-shape) of an Aleut
baidarka, I do believe great differences can be
detected.  Aleut kayaks have a dynamic flexibility (as
opposed to a passive flexibility or resiliency that
other skin-on-frame kayaks have). They are designed to
move over the water, and the Aleut baidarka's bow
shape enables the bow to lift over waves without
having to lift the entire kayak. This is how the
resultant properties of a bow with a narrow cutwater
and a broad buoyant upper plate can be maximized. 
Details of these forms, joints, and structures can be
seen in my latest project:
http://www.traditionalkayaks.com/Kayakreplicas/VK228fullsize.html

I hope you do pursue some Aleut-style projects-- they
are fascinating and there is much to learn from them
yet. 
Best,
Harvey 


> 
> I would like to work on these projects myself, and
> may, but in my  
> shop things happen slowly since I am the only
> designer / builder /  
> clean-up crew. I just thought that others may have
> some kind of  
> experience or curiosity here.
> 
> Paul Montgomery
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