For me, creating wood strip kayaks has become an engaging and fufilling pastime. There is an inexplicable magical quality to wooden boats; not only in the finished craft, but in the building process itself. Perhaps it has something to do with the fluid, organic lines, but there is something eminently satisfying about building a kayak, something that is not experienced when building a piece of furniture. Of course, it's possible that the reason is much less mystical and intangible; maybe its simply that I stink at building furniture.

Over time, my interest in building kayaks expanded to include designing kayaks. I developed KayakFoundry, a Windows-based kayak CAD program that is tailored to designing strip-built kayaks. The Whiptail (shown above) was designed using KayakFoundry.

This site is a photo-journal of each of my kayak projects. I hope that you enjoy the visit.

Ross Leidy

 

 

Whiptail - My latest design is a sleek, low-volume Greenland-style day paddler that accommodates a larger paddler. For this project, I chose a simple strip pattern in all redwood. I also used this opportunity to incorporate a set of Kajaksport hatches.

This design is now available for purchase. Details here.
RL-1 completed

RL-1 - This was my first design using the KayakFoundry software.  I built it first as a 1/4-scale model.   After adjusting the design a bit, I built it full-scale.  The deck inlays were a wood interpretation of Frank Lloyd Wright's "balloons and cofetti" stained glass. This 19' x 21" design was quite fast, and with little rocker and no rudder, it was a handful to turn.
Outer Island Outer Island - This was a fun project. I inlayed a serpentine strip of chevrons on the deck and built a compas recess. The Outer Island is a 17'10" x 21" Greenland-style kayak designed by Jay Babina.  I really like this design - firm tracking, fast, easy to roll. What's not to like?
Sea Kayaker S&G Sea Kayaker Magazine S&G - This was my first (and only, so far) foray into the realm of stitch and glue building. This Greenland-style stitch & glue is based on the design by Chris Cunningham that was published in Sea Kayaker Magazine in the Fall of 1994.
Guillemot Guillemot - The Guillemot was designed by Nick Schade of Guillemot Kayaks.  This was my second kayak project, and having a sufficient level of conmfort with the building process, i took the opportunity to experiment a little with decorative stripping.
Wee Lassie II Wee Lassie II - I took a diversion from kayaks to build a Wee Lassie II, a double-paddled canoe based on the plans in Featherweight Boatbuilding by Mac McCarthy.
Panache - This was my first kayak project, started way back in 1995. The Panache was designed by Rob Macks of Laughing Loon.  I used a simple deck strip pattern and concentrated on becoming familiar with strip-building techniques.

KayakFoundry - You can download KayakFoundry and create your own kayak design.  The KayakFoundry Forum is a great place to post questions, comments, bugs, etc.  Stop by for a visit.
Greenland Paddles - Somewhere in-between kayak projects I got the itch to build a Greenland paddle, which I built to Chuck Holst's specs.   I've cross-linked the construction photo journal with the paddle plans.
Cradles  - To transport the kayaks, I built some cradles to mount on my Thule roof rack.  If you've completed a kayak, chances are you have most of the materials required to construct an inexpensive set of cradles that will provide a stronger and more secure fit than commercial saddles or cradles.
How-To - I've assembled a how-to section that has some in-depth discussions of a few building and outfitting techniques, including deck fittings, a fiberglass seat and the use of underdeck bungees to secure hatch covers.
World Record challenge World Record - I had the opportunity to participate in a Guinness World Record challenge to break the record for the most canoes and kayaks rafting together.  Having endured tens of minutes of grueling training, we broke the record with 776 boats.  Check out the aerial photo of the event.

 

 

"If I do not clearly express what I mean, it is either for the reason that having no conversational powers,
I cannot express what I mean, or that having no meaning, I do not mean what I fail to express.
Which, to the best of my belief, is not the case."

--Mr. Grewgious, The Mystery of Edwin Drood - Charles Dickens