Four Hour Kayak!

You can build a kayak of green willow shoots, a blue tarp, some wire and Grip Clips in just four hours!

amount of willow used. You can use any flexible saplings or branches.

Some of the willow is twisted into ribs. Some into stringers. The largest two ribs are 16" by 27".The stringers are overlapped 2' 3" (this makes the stringers stronger in the middle where they need it the most.

Use galvinized wire about 1/16' and bend it into this shape:

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Here you can see ribs joined to the side stringers. Note cords on the two mid-stringers making the bottom of the boat flat. If not flat, the boat tips over too easily.

Completed frame. Length is 11.5'. Stringers are about 15' long and overlap the two center ribs. The center ribs are 27" wide and 16" deep. The next out from the center ribs are 19" by 14". The smallest ribs are 13" circles. Spacing of the ribs is 17", 17", 24", 24", 17", 17".

A blue tarp, 12' by 9', was used to cover the frame. The tarp was gathered along the top of the boat and fastened together with six Grip Clips: http://www.gripclips.com

The boat turned out great! It handles well in the water and is good looking. Total cost about $40; includes tarp, Grip Clips and binding materials.

Kayak is for flat water only. In fast water boat could collapses on you and pin you in. Always wear a life jacket.

If the tarp is pinched between rocks and the boat's frame, it can be punctured. Two tarps layered or a nylon-reinforced tarp is stronger. However, since the blue tarp is easy to obtain and can be repaired with duct tape or with a patch of tarp material and silicon rubber as a glue, the blue tarp kayak makes a lot of sense for most conditions. Wear a life jacket at all time. Flotation devices such as inner tubes should be added inside both ends of the boat for additional safety. To make a stronger boat you can cover the frame with heavy coated nylon or vinyl. You can also make the frame of thicker wood. silicone rubber can be used to seal the gathering at the stern and bow by applying a generous amount between the layers before securing (this is not necessary unless you plan for the seam to be under water). This boat is intended for flat water use and not for use in white water. One reason for this is if the boat was crushed against a rock, the frame could collapse or brake pinning you in the boat and preventing you from swimming to safety and possibly drowning you.