Homemade Kayak

[Irving]

While this is something I'd probably never try myself, I found it pretty impressive. I am interested in checking out those style of grommets though.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1l-e8dB7TWg

[Fentonite]

Pretty slick. I liked his Saran Wrap dome shelter, too.

[CS1983]

Very cool. I look forward to watching his other videos.

[CS1983]

Thinking about this, I realize the point is that, theoretically, one can make a full on kayak with a pre-possessed tarp, a knife, and natural materials. Granted.

Such a thing should definitely be attempted, if possible.

But in the interim, I think one could do this rather cheaply with 1/2-3/4" PVC pipe, or similarly lightweight and inexpensive materials (resin impregnated cardboard comes to mind as a possible material).

The key for the natural build is the materials. If one doesn't have access to good framing materials, it won't work.

[ChickNorris]

I traded my fun kayak for a repair to make my plow truck functional.

There's still a big sad empty space where the kayak used to be stored.

Sniffle

[CS1983]

Styrofoam heads for lightweight ballast would be nice.

You could stick the rubber one w/ hair on the bow and paint it w/ woad to scare the Celts you encounter on your journey.

[Irving]

Thinking about this, I realize the point is that, theoretically, one can make a full on kayak with a pre-possessed tarp, a knife, and natural materials. Granted.

Such a thing should definitely be attempted, if possible.

But in the interim, I think one could do this rather cheaply with 1/2-3/4" PVC pipe, or similarly lightweight and inexpensive materials (resin impregnated cardboard comes to mind as a possible material).

The key for the natural build is the materials. If one doesn't have access to good framing materials, it won't work.

Agreed. Although in my experience with tarps, even having them neatly folded and riding in your vehicle for a few months and they are bound to wear a hole in the creases. This is a great project just to be able to know how to do it. One could potentially use their tent as a kayak with the same exact materials! If one were trying to trek across a wilderness landscape or migrate across continents during the Pleistocene, this would be invaluable.

[Irving]

It's too cold for me to mess around with making those grommets right now, but I wonder if a rock might work just as well. Anyone have experience with that?

[ChickNorris]

I have 2 'mostly there' tents i kept just for the material. If you're serious, you're welcome to experiment with it.

[CS1983]

It's too cold for me to mess around with making those grommets right now, but I wonder if a rock might work just as well. Anyone have experience with that?

Just bunch the tarp around the rock and tie it off, you mean?

[Hummer]

Styrofoam heads for lightweight ballast would be nice.

You could stick the rubber one w/ hair on the bow and paint it w/ woad to scare the Celts you encounter on your journey.


Very interesting, creative and resourceful. But the lightweight tarp skin would die a rapid death on any water body other than a placid lake and grassy shoreline. Drag it over rocks even a few times and it would be a goner. His later polymer skin model is likely more durable. Integrity of the skin is critical.

I have a couple 17 ft. Klepper Aerius II kayaks with canvas decks and heavy duty hypalon rubber bottoms. It's tough stuff that's held up for decades. I've taken them on rivers throughout CO, UT, WY and AK. Instead of using foam like many kayaks and canoes, the Aerius models use rubber sponsons or tubes that run along the sides from bow to stern. When inflated they tighten the skin to the frame and add buoyancy making the boat almost impossible to turn over. The boats disassemble and are packed into two bags for transport in the trunk of a small car.

The Klepper kayaks have crossed all the oceans and seas of the world and are used by military forces. Here are some images that show the various uses:

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1&biw=1920&bih=944&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=64RQXMGeJcy4tQW3hqqoCw&q=klepper+aerius++kayak+frame&oq=klepper+aerius++kayak+frame&gs_l=img.3...2345064.2348074..2348943...0.0..0.423 .1991.0j2j4j1j1......0....1..gws-wiz-img.OIfYX1jSn2M

[Irving]

I have 2 'mostly there' tents i kept just for the material. If you're serious, you're welcome to experiment with it.

Thanks but I have plenty of tents myself. I just mean that someone could potentially use a tarp as both things.


Just bunch the tarp around the rock and tie it off, you mean?

If you're familiar with the golf ball method of skinning a deer, basically that.

[ChickNorris]

Thanks but I have plenty of tents myself. I just mean that someone could...

Right.

[Irving]

I checked out this guy's YouTube channel and he only has 8 videos. However, his log cabin ones are interesting enough and short enough.

[BladesNBarrels]

If you're familiar with the golf ball method of skinning a deer, basically that.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H43d6fv_sE8

Now, all I need is an ATV with a winch, a Sawzall, A knife with a gut-hook, a skinning knife, a tree, and, of course, a deer.

[Irving]

You're 80% there!

Ya know since these guys use a truck with a hitch to pull the rope, they might as well just use the trailer hitch ball in place of the golf ball and eliminate half the requirements.

I suppose having your freshly skinned deer laying in the dirt isn't idea though. Could use a tarp. Then spray off the tarp and kayak off into the distance with it.

[BladesNBarrels]

You're 80% there!

Ya know since these guys use a truck with a hitch to pull the rope, they might as well just use the trailer hitch ball in place of the golf ball and eliminate half the requirements.

I suppose having your freshly skinned deer laying in the dirt isn't idea though. Could use a tarp. Then spray off the tarp and kayak off into the distance with it.

Good point. He does emphasize using a tarp around 3 minutes into the video.
Interesting that the Kentucky Fish and Game keep dead deer hanging around in a locker.

[Irving]

I hadn't watched the video. First time I've seen someone do it with the deer laying on the ground like that. Think I would have used a bigger tarp.

[BigBear]

I traded my fun kayak for a repair to make my plow truck functional.

There's still a big sad empty space where the kayak used to be stored.

Sniffle

My wife is a dolphin. Every trip we've ever taken has had water close by. She's always wanted an inflatable to put on lakes, etc. I looked up some kayaks, zodiacs, and other inflatable type boats once... cheapies were several hundred... it'll have to wait a few more years, lol.