Ginnyak
II
NOTE: Ginnyak is out of
production this year while I explore other design concepts, I
have a redesign in my head right now for this kayak but I won't get to
building it for at least six months. So the drawings below are
outdated, and I won't be selling plans. The joy and curse of my
work is that the boats are always evolving. This kayak remains
true to it's design mission and I will be reintroducing it, but not for
a while.
These drawings show the
shape and framework of my own kayak design, evolved through dozens of
incarnations. Ginnyak is a swift and manuverable low volume sea
kayak. The shape is a no frills, no comprimises, approach to a
specific set of challenges: maintaining control in large surf and heavy
wind chop that I experience on my doorstep, the Pacific
Ocean. The dramatically swedeform hull and low wetted
surface area are the key to easy gliding. The conventional
beam and secondary half-chine provide excellent stability on edge,
allowing for better sweep turning. Low volume makes rolling
easier and keeps you out of the wind. The kayak is normally
fitted with sliding footbraces and a backrest. While it is
a respectable flat water kayak, the Ginnyak is all about surf.
Big waves, small waves, windchop, ship wakes. The Ginnyak wants
to surf, and unlike most sea kayaks will straighten it's course on all
but the steepest waves. You can pick up miles of mini surfs in a
following sea. This same feature makes it want to slap and
skitter heading into a chop. Pesonally I've always felt that
paddling into a strong wind is futile and punishing, but when
circumstances dictate I simply shove a bit of weight up front to calm
down the bow. Still, for alot of windward work a greenland boat
is undoubtedly superior. Not to mention that the Ginnyak can't
compete for a moment with the unbridled sexiness of some Greenland
replicas.
The splayed
front deck
stringers allow the installation of an 8" hatch between them. The
lack of back deck stringers allow for more storage aft and for a deck
load to sink as low as possible. The deck rigging is simple and
functional latigo leather strapping, strong enough to accept a tow.
Hi Brian,
I just finished a Ginnyak that
we build from your drawings and pictures. Paddles great and it
is a lot lower volume than anything I have been in before. I was able to balance brace
it with a paddle in one hand (something I had only read about
till now). I am looking forward to learning a bunch of rolls, now that
we have float bags in it. It came out surprisingly close to you specs. Thanks for a great design.
DJ Knott
Construction Notes:
You may copy and enlarge
these drawings for your own use, or order a set of 24" x 32" drawings
for whatever it costs me to print and mail them. Ginnyak is a
building system as much as it is a shape. The drawings only tell
a small part of the story. Of course not everyone can take
a class and if you're handy you might be able to build one with little
guidance. Some helpful dimentions:
The widest point of the
boat should be no further forward than 5" in front of the backrest.
The ribs should be oak,
locust, or ash, 1/4" x 1-1/4"
To set the rocker: when
pressing the boat down at the cockpit, there should be one thumb
width of rocker in the stern, two to four fingers in the bow.
On the water the bow may
wag a bit from side to side, if this occurs, build up a stern rub
strip, 1/4" at a time until there is only a bit of side to side motion
with each stroke.
Sizing:
300 lbs 26" x 16 1/2'
250 lbs 24.5" x 16'
200 lbs 22.5" x 16'
175 lbs 21.5" x 15.75'
150 lbs 21 x 15.5'
125 lbs 21 x 15'
100 lbs 20.5 x 14.5'
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