Ripple

18.5-ft wooden sea kayak — built by hand, paddled through gale-force winds

Organization: Chewonki Boat Builders
Role: Boat Builder and Kayaker
Dates: Jul 2017 – Aug 2017

Tasks

● Construct an 18.5 ft wooden sea kayak by hand
● Paddle with seven fellow builders for two weeks along the Maine coast and Saguenay Fjord in Quebec


Actions

● Built the structure of the kayak out of wood, epoxy, and fiberglass
● Sanded and smoothed the kayak to ensure minimum drag
● Painted the kayak with Greek-inspired eyes and a racing stripe, while keeping the natural wood texture


Results

● Paddled over 100 miles, with multiple days of gale force winds, high waves, and rocky shore landings
● Still in use nearly a decade later, with no hull damage or leaks in its sealed compartments