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.

[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.

[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.

[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

[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.

[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.

[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...mg.OIfYX1jSn2M

[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?