Geodesic Aerolite Builders?

[Paul H]

I picked up plans, kevlar, dacron and heat/seal tape for a snow show travler 18 a few years back, and never began building it, because I couldn't find green ash for the ribs.

I was digging around my collection of boat articles, which included some on the Geodesic boats, which rekindled my interest in building the snowshow. Anyhow, I was thinking of laminating the ribs from thinner stock, likely from red oak, as it is easy to come by.

Wondering if anyone has gone to laminated ribs, vs steam bending green wood.

[Kermit]

Shucks, you don't need green ash! I got some greenish Oregon white oak from Flounder Bay Boat Lumber in Anacortes (Washington) for the one I built several years back. Came wrapped in plastic so's it wouldn't air dry in my truck on the way home.

And you don't need steam either. I just made myself a long tube out of 4" plastic pipe--the white stuff--and poured boiling water into it along with the wood. A few minutes in the soup and it'll be pretty bendy. I recall breaking one rib, and noticed there was a grain problem where it kinked.

These boats are surprisingly simple, and a lot of fun to build and use. Still have mine.

[DougWilde]

What is old is new again. I have in front of me the 1942 edition of How to Build 20 Boats that includes "Geodetic Kayak" by Norman Mayer.

Here is a scan of an illustration (don't you just hate it when someone includes an extra large image?!)

http://dbwilde.home.comcast.net/BoatScans/Geokayak1.jpg

"The entire outfit, including the paddle, should cost no more than $10."

Doug Wilde

[Three Cedars]

Doug - Thanks for the large scan! Have you got more of that article ?

Paul - You can use straight grained kiln dried wood for ribs just get it to finished size and then soak in water for 4 days or so then either steam it or soak in boiing water for a couple minutes.

[Paul H]

Doug,

I might have to add that one to the list of future boats to build.

I'm pretty well set on just laminating the ribs out of 1/8" X 5/8" oak. I've used enough epoxy on my stich and glue Tolman skiff to be more then comfortable using it in this application.