Kayak view from stern.

Detail below..

View, from the stern of a replica Aeutig Kayak frame I’m building out of driftwood found locally. The kayak project to date has been a long process, collecting 16’ long slivers of clear red and yellow cedar, and Sitka spruce. Splitting, shaping and putting all the pieces together, Just the collecting of the wood has taken 3 or 4 years, the actual construction began fall of 2000. The members were split form the raw wood, the kayak project led to the construction of the frame featured, as well as another deck frame, with a bow and stern block attached, the second frame will replicate an Aleut single holed kayak. I have studied independently, northern kayak construction since coming to Alaska in 1980. I began collecting materials from Homer area beaches, in the late 1980’s. I decided to simulate the frame designs focusing on the cultures that built their kayaks to go out into open seas. The two boats I’m working on have bifacial or split bows, the Alutig or pacific Eskimo kayak has a one-piece bow, and the Aleut kayak has a two-piece bow. The handling of the cover for these boats will not be traditional, I have decided to cover my kayaks with thin strips and planks of cedar and local beetle killed spruce. The kayaks will be classified as a wooden boat. Countless hours have gone into this project; much has been accomplished using hand tools. This undertaking is truly an important part of my life long study of natural history. I have gained insight into the lives of our ancient cultures. There is a lot to do to bring the first two kayaks to completion; I will up date the process as I put more work into this effort.