This is a longer entry but it deserves the space. What we discovered in August 2011 was an Aleut style sea kayak at the Orange County Fair, Costa Mesa, California. As we told the artist it made you want to stop and admire it. The photographs we are showing here are nice (courtesy of the owner/creator, Rich Henderson ynpguy@yahoo). But this is something you really need to see in person. Send him an email to find when or where it will be displayed next. Note: all except the “show” photo where taken in the finishing process.
Now I’ll just quote the correspondence with Rich as he tells the story much better than I could.
Enjoy!
“I had never displayed anything at a fair before and honestly I was pretty overwhelmed at the response the boat got. I enjoyed quietly standing in the gallery and watching people look and then (inevitably) reach up and touch it. I know the fair organizers discouraged it, but I enjoyed it. As a side tidbit... Furniture designer Sam Maloof was once asked about how he knew when a finish was "right" and he responded that it was done when he could run his hand over it and it was as sensuous as a woman. I get that, and so I never minded seeing people run their hand over it.
I don't know what day you were there so I've attached the "artists" statement that I provided after the initial judging. It gives you a few of the details about the boat. You can use or not in whatever way that you need also. Thanks again for the kind words and if you need anything else just let me know. I'll probably be sending friends to your site now also.” Rich.
Scrap or 2
The "artists" statement that provided after the initial judging.
About this Kayak
Scrap or 2 is an Aleut style sea kayak that is based on the Great Auk design originally penned by Nick Schade. The deck has been modified to fit my requirements for this boat. She has a designed displacement of 280 lbs, is 17’ from bow to stern, and shows 25” of maximum beam (width) to the water. The forms were lofted (drawn) by hand from a table of offsets that numerically describe the shape of the boat and then cut from waste plywood. Nearly all of the wood material used on this kayak was reclaimed or repurposed from scraps or cast off lumber.
The Wood
The majority of the boat is built from redwood that formerly served as a corral at my home. I strived to maintain the natural staining that occurred from the weather and nails that the fence had endured for more than 20 years as much as possible. Each “scar” from nails or insects was then filled with copper wire to highlight its prior life. The pine accents in the side stripe and hull bottom were from a shelf that had outlived its use in my son’s childhood bedroom. The hardwood deck pattern was created using small scraps of wood that I had accumulated over many years of small projects and was supplemented by the generous gift of samples from a friend. What you see on the deck are thin veneers over a redwood or cedar base. I used this method to extend the coverage and visual impact of these exotics.
Tools
The strips were prepared using a circular saw, table saw, band saw, and jointer. The actual construction of the boat was done with hand tools. A Japanese pull saw or two, a block plane, pocketknife, and lots of sandpaper were required. Even the sanding was largely accomplished by hand with a “long” board and purpose built sanding aids. Cabinet scrapers were used to smooth the inside of the hull prior to sanding.
Construction
Scrap or 2 was built between Jan. 2009 and July 7TH, 2011. Her construction took over 400 hours. Strips were edge glued together, smoothed, and covered inside and out with 4 oz. and 6 oz. fiberglass and epoxy resin in multiple layers. She is finished with 5 coats of varnish on the outside to protect the fiberglass from UV degradation. The seat was hand sculpted to fit my behind, and the back band was built to support my torso and allow freedom of movement. All of the brass fittings and deck line attachments were hand made and fitted.
Use
There is a certain quality to the water lapping at the side of a wooden boat that cannot be duplicated in a plastic shell. This Kayak is an expedition craft, meant in every way to take on large bodies of water.
It will see use in the ocean as well as areas of Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton that can only be accessed in hand powered craft. Make no mistake, this boat is strong, but at the same time it can blend in with the natural beauty of the wilderness areas that she provides transportation to. Scratches and the inevitable “dings” from use become stories that only this kayak and its owner can know. When I pick the Scrap or 2 up at the end of the fair, our first stop will be at the coast where she will begin her journeys on the water.
Thanks for stopping by,
See you on the water
