Building a West Greenland Kayak, Step by Step

In this visual overview of the skin on frame kayak building process we construct our West Greenland kayak design. Only slightly adapted from the original museum kayak, I've chosen to focus on this particular kayak over the years because it is surprisingly user friendly compared to most true arctic hunting kayaks. Historic kayaks add richness and diversity to my paddling lifestyle and constantly inform my modern skin on frame kayak design work.

A quick note, Due to COVID I wasn't able to get video of the kayak in the video on the water, so I tacked on an edit from a rolling session a few years ago. Enjoy!

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[martinovallejo]

Words are not enough to describe how much I appreciate your craftsmanship, not only in making kayaks, but also the video is beautifully edited

[johnchoat]

WOW! What an absolutely gorgeous kayak; in 1924, when my Dad was just 20 years old, he was offered the position of Wireless Operator on a Canadian
Government Expedition aboard the CGS Arctic, a sail AND coal powered wooden ship that was mastered by Captain Joseph E. Bernier, a venerable and
long time explorer on behalf of Canada. During the 3 month trip my Dad got a chance to try out an Inuit-made kayak, exactly like your kayak, at Pond Inlet 
and after his successful paddle he was presented with a beautiful hand-made 26" model with all the fittings, which I now cherish in memory of his LOVED the Far North!

[josephinebennington]

All it takes to create one of the most seaworthy craft ever invented it to cut the chamfer in the ends of the two main strakes, tie them firmly and force apart with stringers. That’s your master design shape. It’s all in that chamfer. Absolutely Miraculous.

[sharazmohammed]

The pleasure and joy of building and or making things with a person own hands 🧡, is beyond my ability to express

[richardi]

My first SOF Kayak was a resurrection of a "Crossbreed" originally made in New Brunswick, Canada. Learned so much just from this video, I am likely to try another SOF Kayak in the future. The kayak rolls we breath taking and executed at a level and calmness that made me watch that segment over and over.

[thecookiemangaming]

Beautiful job and I have never seen anyone purposely try to capsize before but twas done with the utmost grace and elegance bravo good sir 🧐

[Hammern]

That is a beautiful Kayak, built to perfection. I love seeing people who create magnificent builds like these. It is a sense of therapy as well as admiration.

[crustyoldfart]

For those who are able to see and appreciate the beauty of fine craftsmanship they need go no further than this. I have the highest respect for this kind of endeavour; it combines knowledge skill and TLC to culminate in a craft which is a joy to behold, and, I don't doubt to use.
I would like to make some general comments, and to express some personal views and prejudices.
I was amazed at how the hull frames, bent by a combination of hand and eye were able to be formed with such exactitude that they could be assembled in a ' fair ' shape, that is without humps and hollows when the stringers were attached.
I admired the way in which modern techniques were applied to the time -honoured manner deriving from the original Inuit techniques. That however stopped short as I saw the use of fibreglass cloth, followed by the liberal use of of synthetic resins. I did like the way it was sewn - again a retention of original techniques. One assumes that these modern materials are used as a result of the lack of availability of raw seal skin ! But in my opinion it would have been more desirable to use materials not so far from the original and ones which aren't potential health risks to the builders.
All this should make us respect the more the earlier Inuit who did all this with animal bone and drift wood, working without the benefit of power tools, and with the most rudimentary cutting tools probably working on an open beach.
It was most appropriate that the piece should end with a demonstration of how kayaks are intended to be used. That is by a highly skilled pilot who needs a highly manoeuvrable craft able to chase his nimble prey. It is not inappropriate to compare these craft with modern-day fighter aircraft which are designed to fly an a knife-edge of stability, computer controlled, which is the only way that they can be operated to do the job for which they both kayak and aircraft, are required..

[RMWeinberg]

Wonderful. Nice example of how to build a greenland kayak. Of course you make it look easy.

[winteromara]

Wow you just took my creativeness to a much lower level

[volkerrichter]

Love the craftsmanship. A work of art.

[franknicholson]

It is a pleasure to see a craftsman at work!

[MrVDG-nkxx]

Your workshop is in good order. It's nice to see that. You are good at what you are doing. I wish you success and creativity.

[michaelvanwinkle]

One fine paddler demonstrating the kayak .Wish you had gotten an underwater video of his rolls.

[zoranpocrnja]

They say the master of carpentry is to make violin I changed my mind;! excellent workmanship;!

[stevereed]

Looks to be as stable as a 3 legged stool. Glad he kept popin back upright. Sure is a beautiful piece.

[ianski]

Ooh doggy, that is the sweetest video I’ve seen all year. That guy is on another level, he’s part man, part kayak. I’m surprised the Greeks haven’t adopted him and created a Deity. Sir, you are a true craftsman, sending regards and best wishes from Essex GB. Stay groovy.

[StevenKeery]

Fascinating, a beautiful kayak. Watching the rolls brought back boyhood memories.

[haphapablap]

Plucked it out of the drink with one hand. Nice 'n light. Great work.

[stevebrocone]

Wow. What a great little surprise at the end! That was awesome!