Disko Bay 17' Cedar Strip Kayak Kit
The Following courtesy of Rob Macks, Designer,
The Disko Bay© is a wood strip interpretation of a classic West Greenland design from the Disko Bay region of Greenland. Length is 17' and width is 21". Weight is approximately 32 pounds.
I studied the native design carefully. I wanted to translate the feel and handling of the skin original into a wood strip kayak. Most hard shell Greenland kayaks have flat surfaces on either side of the keel line. I think this does not reflect the shape of a skin hull in water, loaded. On my Disko Bay, the hull bottom on each side of the keel is slightly concave reflecting how water pressure would shape the hull of a skin boat, this kayak's ancestor.
The Disko Bay slides silently and effortlessly through the waves. Disko Bay is a hard chined Greenland style kayak that tracks well and carves turns nimbly.
Beautiful lines, beautiful ride, this kayak is a classic.
Bulkheaded watertight storage fore and aft, accessed through flush deck hatches. Traditional deck rigging and bow/stern handles.
The cockpit is available in the traditional small "ocean size" or a larger "touring" size.
This kayak can be built in medium or low volume versions from the same plans.
The medium volume version is for a larger person or for someone who likes the West Greenland design, but also likes a little cockpit room, and easier entry/exit.
For the hard core Greenland paddler there is low volume version with a snug fit and low stern deck for rolling. This low volume version is built by starting the hull sheer strips 1-1/2' lower on the stations. The sheer line of this low volume version would be just below the bottom edge of the light-colored pin stripe on the boat pictured above.
Design Specs:
Length: 17’
Beam: 21”
Hull Weight: 32 lbs
Max Payload: 230 lbs
Paddler Weight: 10 - 195 lbs.