Kayaks are small, relatively thin boats normally powered by a person. It is usually propelled by a person using a paddle. The area a person sits in is called the cockpit. Traditionally, the open area on top is covered to prevent water from filling the kayak. Covering the top allows the experienced kayaker to roll the boat to the upright position if it capsizes. There are many versions of this vessel. Anyone using a kayak plans to embark on an interesting journey since it is such a small vessel.
Kayaks were developed ages ago. For the most part, historians agree they have been used for at least 4,000 years. The Eskimos and inhabitants of the Arctic and frozen regions created this ingenious vessel. It was developed to transport the hunter to areas where they found their prey.
Even though the vessel had been in use for a very long period of time, it wasn't until the turn of the 20th century that it was introduced to Europe. A German, Hans Klepper, purchased instructions for a foldable kayak from a German student. Klepper sold his design to sports-minded enthusiasts. Its popularity became entrenched on the continent and it became a recreational as well as functional vessel.
In 1936 kayaking was introduced into the Olympic games as "flatwater racing". Clubs flourished all over Europe and kayaks became more and more popular as the years passed. The kayaking events now part of the Olympics include several different events such sprints and long distance courses.
The native Eskimos may not recognize some of the contemporary designs. Originally used for hunting, modern designs fill a variety of purposes for the contemporary kayaker. Whitewater, racing, sea-going, recreational, and fishing are all uses for the nimble craft nowadays.
The materials used for the original kayaks were basically seal skin for the hull and whale bone for the structure or frame of the boat. Really, those were the most available sources of construction materials for Eskimos living in a treeless environment. Nowadays, we find the boat made of many different materials to include plywood, aluminum, plastic, and fiberglass. The skin or hull can be made of any variety of materials that are lightweight, can be made to be waterproof, and are not easily punctured.
As in any craft, those that want to build their own boat have many options. The spectrum of difficulty ranges from rudimentary designs created in a home workshop to those requiring sophisticated shop tools. The length of time to build one also depends on the goal of the builder. A simple one to quickly place in the water all the way to classic designs made out of natural, expensive materials will each take different amounts of time to construct.
The advent of the internet has allowed an almost unlimited access to plans on how to build kayaks. The entire spectrum of materials, designs, and levels of workmanship complexity is available to the potential kayak builder. Plans can be delivered to the potential builder via postal mail in paper form or delivered online. If the kayak plans are delivered online usually the time it takes for a builder to receive them is drastically reduced. This may allow construction to begin immediately. Either way, for the dedicated kayaker the experience of building their own boat may be one they won't soon forget.
Kayaks were developed ages ago. For the most part, historians agree they have been used for at least 4,000 years. The Eskimos and inhabitants of the Arctic and frozen regions created this ingenious vessel. It was developed to transport the hunter to areas where they found their prey.
Even though the vessel had been in use for a very long period of time, it wasn't until the turn of the 20th century that it was introduced to Europe. A German, Hans Klepper, purchased instructions for a foldable kayak from a German student. Klepper sold his design to sports-minded enthusiasts. Its popularity became entrenched on the continent and it became a recreational as well as functional vessel.
In 1936 kayaking was introduced into the Olympic games as "flatwater racing". Clubs flourished all over Europe and kayaks became more and more popular as the years passed. The kayaking events now part of the Olympics include several different events such sprints and long distance courses.
The native Eskimos may not recognize some of the contemporary designs. Originally used for hunting, modern designs fill a variety of purposes for the contemporary kayaker. Whitewater, racing, sea-going, recreational, and fishing are all uses for the nimble craft nowadays.
The materials used for the original kayaks were basically seal skin for the hull and whale bone for the structure or frame of the boat. Really, those were the most available sources of construction materials for Eskimos living in a treeless environment. Nowadays, we find the boat made of many different materials to include plywood, aluminum, plastic, and fiberglass. The skin or hull can be made of any variety of materials that are lightweight, can be made to be waterproof, and are not easily punctured.
As in any craft, those that want to build their own boat have many options. The spectrum of difficulty ranges from rudimentary designs created in a home workshop to those requiring sophisticated shop tools. The length of time to build one also depends on the goal of the builder. A simple one to quickly place in the water all the way to classic designs made out of natural, expensive materials will each take different amounts of time to construct.
The advent of the internet has allowed an almost unlimited access to plans on how to build kayaks. The entire spectrum of materials, designs, and levels of workmanship complexity is available to the potential kayak builder. Plans can be delivered to the potential builder via postal mail in paper form or delivered online. If the kayak plans are delivered online usually the time it takes for a builder to receive them is drastically reduced. This may allow construction to begin immediately. Either way, for the dedicated kayaker the experience of building their own boat may be one they won't soon forget.
No comments:
Post a Comment