"Don’t you think such a project is a little too big for you?” That’s what my father said when I told him I was thinking about building a kayak. He used to do little craft projects with me when I was younger, and I remember when we made a small wooden figurine for Grandma to put in her garden. He did the sawing out and let little me do the painting. While he had in mind teaching me to use some tools and different materials, in the end, he always did the building and all the work with the tools, while I watched and cleaned up afterward. When I was old enough, I stopped taking part in these projects and turned to some simpler craft projects I could do on my own, such as sewing, braiding, and working with leather.“A little too big” came back to me as I stood in a lumberyard collecting the first of the materials for building a Greenland skin-on-frame kayak, but the echoes of my father’s words faded as I breathed in the wonderful fragrance of the wood surrounding me. Thomas Bruns came out of his storehouse carrying a very long packet of lumber. He is the father of an old friend of mine, and I’d recently found out, just by chance, that he’s a lumber wholesaler. I could not really believe my luck, because for weeks I had searched the Internet for a source of wood of 16′ or more in length, knot-free and straight grained. Thomas had been very friendly when I emailed him, offering me wood for my project and not wanting any money for it—the amount of wood I needed for my kayak was not a quantity they think twice about giving away. For two big boards of pine and four beautiful, knot-free 20′ boards of hemlock I paid one homemade chocolate cake.As I strapped the boards to the roof rack of my parents’ car, I still could not believe I was doing this. These boards were longer than any kayak I had ever handled, and “too big for you” was suddenly something I could see and struggle with as I loaded them.
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Wonderful memories with Oma
Isabelle, best Small Boats article, ever!
Isabelle, you rock!!! Having previously build three wooden kayaks, two in Greenland style, I just recently finished a skin-on-frame West-Greenland boat which looks very similar to yours, except of course, made to fit me. Despite the previous building experiences, I thought of the SOF build process as a special challenge, albeit one that would get me closer to the roots of kayaking and rolling. Yes, the bending of the ribs was particularly unnerving given the short time-window to get the correct curvature which changes from rib to rib. I am super-impressed with your courage and persistence and I suspect that this may not be your last venture into boat building.
As someone who was raised in Germany I read with a tinge of sorrow that your father did not express his appreciation and admiration of his daughter’s astonishing accomplishment. It seems to be a particularly prevalent characteristic of German parents (especially fathers) to not be able to compliment the achievements of their offspring. Perhaps a new generation of parents will overcome such sad inhibition.
Anyway, the water is very crunchy around Western Pennsylvania, so I’ll have to be patient in trying out my new SOF kayak. Meanwhile, I so enjoyed your beautifully-written account.
First, congratulations to Isabelle – great boat, exceptionally well done! I envy you for the great building experience as well as for the outcome!!
Christoph – I’m a bit shocked by your very generic and categorical statement about German parents: “It seems to be a particularly prevalent characteristic of German parents (especially fathers) to not be able to compliment the achievements of their offspring” – Wow! That’s pretty strong, if not outright offensive. This does not at all correspond to my experiences of growing up or being a father in Germany. In Germany, like in probably all other countries around the world, there certainly are parents with one or other deficiency (or even too many thereof), but “a particularly prevalent characteristic”… come on…
I know, this is not the place for discussions other than boating, but as a caring father, I cannot let this stand uncommented.
Peter
Congratulations not only for starting on something you weren’t sure about but persevering through to the finish!
All of us who build our own boats had to start with a first boat and we had to learn the skills and develop solutions to problems just the way you did.
Great story!
Great article, well written, and good sense of humor. So much ice cream!
Thanks, Isabelle, for a terrific article. The story, the kayak, and most importantly, you come through beautifully in your writing. Please write more articles for Small Boats as life and paddling go on! And best wishes for a successful Ph.D.!
Regards,
Tim
Very nicely done! That’s a superb looking kayak, especially for your first attempt!
I loved your story. Capable people can do many things. I’m planning my small-boat building experience, and think SOF will be my launching point. I have more woodworking experience, so I won’t be able to write a start from nowhere report that is as moving as yours. Congratulations on your success, and I hope you continue to relish the joy of new experiences that require some effort.
Toll gemacht, Mädel 🙂
As a German father of two girls, I had a painful grin in my face reading your report. Just imagine, what those terrible sharp tools can do to girls’ fingers …
Nevertheless, never ever a girl should be told to be unable for woodworking! So fathers of this world, keep at least your mouth shut if not able encouraging and giving compliments to your woodworking girl.
Your boat really looks very cute and well made. Do you know how heavy it is?
Nice story
I enjoyed your story and the joy you found in doing this project, which seems to have spread throughout the community from Ingrid, to neighbors, and beyond. Now how do I go about getting one of your chocolate cakes?
Good for you, Isabelle. Go girl! You proved to yourself and others in your life that you can do anything you put your mind to. Also, your kayak is as all good boats should be. Not just a boat but a work of art. It’s a thing of beauty.
Congratulations,
Wayne
Was für eine großartige Geschichte Ihres Projekts und Ihrer Reise zum Abschluss.
(what a great story of your project and journey to completion)
Really enjoyed your article! I know the feeling when others tell you “you can’t do that.” Don’t listen to them and plow ahead. With a little bit of thought, things can be built by yourself (with a few Kreg clamps), for example, a log cabin and a 18′ Glen-L boat named CHUG-A-LUG. Good looking boat you have there, Kiddo.
I always enjoy this magazine but I think this is the best tale so far. Thank you so much.
Wonderful story. I’m betting that this will only be the first of a line of home-built kayaks.
Beautiful boat.
Wonderful story.
Thank You!
Sehr gut gemacht Isabelle
Look up “courage” in the dictionary. It has your picture. Well done und sehr gut!(I think)
My complete respect to you on your project. Alleq is stunningly beautiful!
Congratulations, Isabelle, on constructing a beautiful kayak and an exceptionally entertaining and well-written story. Please write more!
A great and inspiring read and beautiful kayak, enjoyed all of it, the technical, the shops and lawns, and family. Thanks!
What an inspirational story! As for the level of support and encouragement one should get from a parent (especially a father when it comes to this kind of project), guys can also encounter discouragement from parents who don’t support their children in their endeavors. In my own case, my dad never told me to stay out of his shop or away from his tools. I started using his table saw as soon as I was tall enough to see over the table, and I still have all my fingers. I know people who never received that level of trust who are afraid to tackle anything, and are always seeking approval from others because they are afraid to take risks. I salute your for your intrepid determination. It would be wonderful to see a video of you rolling your new kayak
In my area (NW Washington state), I know several people who have built skin-on-frame kayaks, often with the guidance and coaching of Corey Freedman of Anacortes, WA. Though I myself have not built such a boat, I have made several wooden kayaks using kits from Pygmy Kayaks, of Port Townsend, WA (which unfortunately has ceased operation). As I am now incredibly old, and have a bum shoulder, I no longer have the confidence to roll my kayak, which means I try to stay upright.