14-Foot Baidarka
A short baidarka
A Fourteen Foot Baidarka
I got the idea for this boat from Douglas Huft of Pacifica, California. His boat is made out of aluminum tubing, but mine is made of wood. The idea behind this boat was to make a baidarka that is shorter, hence quicker to turn and with a lower back deck for easier rolling. This baidarka was designed especially for use around rock gardens and surf where quick turns and easy rolling are a big advantage. An additional bonus of shorter length is lighter weight.
This front view presents a fairly conventional baidarka appearance. Note however, one less deck beam in front and one less in back than in a 17 foot baidarka. Also note the flat deck beams aft of the cockpit. The double deckbeam in front of the cockpit allows people with different leg lengths to have a foot brace.
Construction
Construction of this boat is fairly conventional. The only deviation from the norm is the length of the gunwales, three feet less than a full sized baidarka. Beam of this boat is 22 inches, an inch wider than in a 17 foot long boat to make up for the loss of length. On the rear deck all the deck beams are flat instead of arched. But a central deck stringer still gives the back deck some arch to shed water. Also I only used three stringers on each side instead of the more usual 4.
The view from above of the baidarka. Note three stringers on each side instead of the usual four.
The keelson is in one piece and mortised into the bow.
Performance
Speed of the boat is quite good in spite of the shorter length. It pushes up to 5 mph without too much trouble. Performance in short waves and chop such as that found on San Francisco Bay is quite good. The boat rises nicely to the waves and any waves that do bury the bow run off the deck so that the ride it nice and dry. I made the hull fairly deep. Possibly it could be a little more shallow. There is plenty of freeboard.
The trim on the baidarka with me sitting 4 inches forward of the back of the cockpit. This is where I am supposed to be sitting. The extra 4 inches to the back of the cockpit allows for easier laybacks when rolling.
The trim on the baidarka sitting 4 inches back of the balance point. Note that the bow wave starts almost two feet back of the nose. Also note the stern squat down.
