Building the Greenland Kayak : A Manual for Its Contruction and Use

Take to the water in style for less than $300 and a few weekends and evenings of work

Simplicity, elegance, performance, and speed: these are the hallmarks of the Greenland kayak. Its low profile minimizes windage, and its narrow beam makes it well behaved in rough water and fast. Despite its ancient origins, the Greenland kayak is lively, versatile, and responsive even by modern standards.

Building the Greenland Kayak leads you step-by-step through the process of crafting your own lashed-frame, fabric-covered, custom-fitted Greenland kayak, using inexpensive, easy-to-find materials and common woodworking tools. Master boatbuilder Christopher Cunningham provides plenty of tips and pointers to help you build a kayak that is strong, flexible, and perfectly scaled to your dimensions. Great for the accomplished boatbuilder and the novice alike, this easy-to-use manual includes

• Easy-to-follow building instructions accompanied by hundreds of photos
• Complete lists of all the tools and materials you'll need
• Detailed primers in lumber milling, fastening, rib bending, and measuring
• Additional instructions for making a Greenland paddle, paddling clothing, float bags, skegs, and more
• Pointers on paddling skills, kayak rolling, and children's kayaks

Christopher Cunningham has been the editor of Sea Kayaker magazine since 1989 and has been building kayaks since 1979. He has taught Greenland kayak construction at the WoodenBoat School and has built scale models of traditional kayaks for the Alaska State Museum. His Greenland kayak construction and paddling skills have been documented in several videos, and he has lectured on and demonstrated those skills in North America and Europe.