The NANOOK kayak is based on the shape of traditional Greenland kayaks and can be built within a few days without a strongback. In fuselage frame construction CNC-milled frames and longitudinal stringers are connected with artificial sinew and determine the shape of the hull. The subsequent covering with robust polyamide fabric and coating with PU varnish turn the wooden frame into a usable skin-on-frame kayak. The NANOOK weighs only 12.5 kg.
LIGHTWEIGHT
In the design, the focus was on low weight, but the structural rigidity was not neglected by skillfully saving material in the right places.
SIMPLE TO BUILD
The kit can be built with a few hand tools even by inexperienced builders. The components are already provided with holes for knotting, only the gunwales and stringers must be cut to length and machined at the bow and stern.
STABLE AND FAST
Due to a structural feature, the seat height can compete with those of traditionally built kayaks and gives the NANOOK additional stability due to a low center of gravity of the paddler. Thus, it is sufficiently stable even for beginners and has good secondary stability when angled. The hull has little rocker as well as a slight V-shape, so it is very true to track and also suitable for longer, enduring trips. The decks have been kept as flat as possible to give the wind little surface to attack. The flat rear deck also simplifies rolling.
SPEED
The speed test shows the GPS speed with no wind, shallow water and a boat loaded with approx. 80kg.
HARD FACTS
Total weight: 12.5 kg
Length: 507cm
Width: 55cm
Paddler weight: up to approx. 100kg
Paddler size: up to approx. 190cm
Coaming inside dimensions: 78x41cm
(the total weight depends on the materials and amount of varnish used)
THE KAYAK KIT
DEVELOPMENT & PRODUCTION
The development of the NANOOK kayak kit took about 10 months. In an elaborate process, the dimensions of traditionally built greenland kayaks were collected, merged with empirical values and thus a first model was created in a hull design software. The handling characteristics were tested on several prototypes and construction details were adapted to the requirements of a customer-friendly kit. Parallel to the prototyping, detailed photos were taken and the building instructions were produced, which clearly describe the individual building steps. What was done with a jigsaw during prototyping was finally realized as a final prototype on a CNC portal milling machine. Now I have the kit produced in series by a partner company in Wuppertal.
THE COMPONENTS
The kit includes 26 CNC-milled components from birch plywood, as well as other small parts and aids for construction. In addition to the frames, the sterns and decks, the seats as well as the antry aids, the kit also includes a CNC-milled coaming, which is very easy to assemble. All components are already equipped with notches for plugging together and holes for knotting.
THE BUILDING INSTRUCTIONS
The building instructions contains 61 pages and describes the complete construction of the NANOOK down to the last detail. Each step is described in detail and illustrated with pictures. The building instructions also include a list of materials that are still needed, which can be conveniently called up and ordered via QR codes. The instructions are primarily aimed at beginners who have had no previous contact with skin-on-frame kayak building, but of course experienced kayak builders can also use them to build their NANOOK.
CONTENT
The opening chapters of the building instructions range from a description of our CNC-milled components to required materials with parts lists and measurements to work safety. The construction of the NANOOK is divided into the production of wooden strips for gunwales and stringers (including instructions for tapering strips), the construction of the kayak frame from our components, the oiling, skinning and varnishing of the kayak as well as the installation of the hatch system, footrests, deck lines and backrest.
All construction steps are described with the help of detailed texts and expressive photos.
READING SAMPLE
German / English
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