Kayak Bytes

Well, went and did the touristy thing at the San Antonio River walk today. Lots of tourist traps and lots of people milling around with no particular direction in mind. Sure hate it when I can’t walk because of people just standing in the way. So, I gawked at the water a lot and thought it would be fun to kayak in… probably a law against it. They do have the boats that give about 20 people (at one time) a tour. The line to get tickets was about 75 people and there were about 150 people waiting after the tickets booth. We decided we didn’t need that. Headed home and will be spending New Years eve with the kids and grand kids. Remember to visit some of the missions along the way, Mission San Jose.
Take care all, wish I was paddling or building Kayaks..
Tony

The 2006 Texas Kayak builders bash is shaping up to be another great time with like-minded individuals eating, sleeping and talking kayaks.

Saturday, April 29, 2006 Huntsville State Park, Huntsville, Texas
Join us for a day of display, conversation and fun centered around home-built kayaks, canoes and other small boats. Bring and display your home-built boats, or simply come to view the crafts, learn and engage in conversation about boat building. The general public is invited.

No… Not pirate Jack Sparrow’s Caribbean pirate ship, but Björn Thomasson’s kayak design Black Pearl. I especially like the part that says “A novice with ambitions, patience and perseverence might use Black Pearl as a crash course to advanced paddling.” I think in my case there might be an emphasis on ‘crash’. But then again, might just have to go low volumn on my next one..
Anyone have any advice as to yes or no or “go for it” on this kayak for a relative novice?
As I believe this may have been built in Scandanavian countries, I would welcome any comments from across the Atlantic.
Tony Olsen

Having trouble finding a spray skirt for your home built kayak? Check out how to build your own using John Doornink’s instruction… How I make a Neoprene Sprayskirt Looks like a fairly straight forward plan. Might have to try that after I’m done building.. whenever that is..

Hey all, found this on Björn Thomasson Design Kayak Blog. Great videos on how to roll.. In English and From Wisconsin. Wisconsin Paddlers Rolling videos

Hope you enjoy them, very informative and they make it look sooo easy.
Tony Olsen

The Strip-Built Sea Kayak by Nick Schade is a must have. This book will take you through all the steps necessary to build a very nice sea kayak. Both of my current kayak projects were taken directly from this book. I built the Guillemot first then I started on a Great Auk. The experience and information I got from the book and building the Guillemot allowed me to get a bit brave and modify the lines of the Great Auk. So folks, if you are about to build or wondering what it takes, get this book.
ISBN 0-07-057989

Happy building!
Tony Olsen

All Kayakers!
Just got a great Christmas present from my daughter. It is a book by William Nealy, entitled KAYAK The animated manual of intermediate and advanced whitewater technique.
This book is really neat, nice grafics and cleverly entertaining. Through out the book there are many detailed diagrams of what is being explained from Eskimo roll to high brace warning.
Highly reccomend this book even though I am (usually) a sea kayaker. a lot of the techniques here apply to the surf. An area I can’t help but play in to see how far I can push things.
ISBN 0-89732-050-6
regards to all..
Tony