The almost universal method of constructing the 

 kayak is first to shape and fasten together the gunwales 

 and thwarts, with stem and stern pieces fitted as 

 required, then to fit and place a few transverse 

 frames to control the shape of the craft. Next the 

 longitudinals are fitted and, finally, the remaining 

 transverse frames are put in place. In some types 

 the manhole rim is now fitted but in others the man- 

 hole rim is put on after the skin cover is in place, as 

 some kayaks (the Alaskan) have the skin cover placed 

 over the manhole rim and others have it passed 

 under. The skin cover is stretched and sewn over 

 the frame and is rarely secured to it by lashings 

 except at the manhole. Due to the shape of bow and 

 stern, in some types, difficult and tedious sewing is 

 required to stretch the skins over the ends of the hull. 

 Much of the sewing is completed after the skins are 

 stretched over the hull and held by temporary lacings. 

 The blind seam is used but in many kayaks the lap 

 is very short, about ji inch being common. 



The covering most widely used in Alaskan kayaks 

 was the bearded seal skin and with the Aleuts the 

 skin of the sea lion was the most popular. Throughout 

 the eastern Arctic seal skin was the preferred covering 

 though caribou skin was occasionally used by the 

 caribou Eskimos in the central Arctic. The heavy, 

 thick hides were first piled and "sweated," until the 

 hair became loose then the skins were scraped until 

 they were clean. They were thin and light and 

 could be air dried and stored until ready for use. 

 The skins had to be well soaked before being stretched 

 over the frame of a kayak or umiak. When dried out 

 on the boat frame they were oiled in the usual manner. 

 It is claimed by the Eskimos that walrus skin, though 

 strong, is not as good as the bearded seal or the 

 sea-lion skin for boat covers, as the latter two held the 

 oil longer and did not become water soaked as 

 quickly as the walrus hide. 



The paddler's seat in most kayaks consists of a portion 

 of heavy skin with fur attached. Sometimes this is 

 supported by a few short, thin battens laced loosely 

 together. These, and the fur seat sometimes are 

 as long as the paddler's legs. No back rest is known 

 to be used. The seat, and any batten supports, are 

 loosely fitted and are not part of the permanent kayak 

 structure. 



The kayak is usually entered by floating the boat 

 near a stone or low bank and stepping into it with one 

 foot, which has first been carefully wiped. With the 

 body steadied by placing the paddle upright on the 

 shore, or outside the kayak, the other foot is then 



wiped and placed in the boat. The paddler then 

 slides downward and works his legs under the deck 

 until he is seated with his hips jammed into the man- 

 hole rim. Getting out of a kayak is almost the reverse 

 of this process. Great care is exercised to avoid 

 getting dirt into a kayak, as it might chafe the hide 

 cover. Hence the care in wiping the feet before 

 entering. The practice of entering the boat ashore 

 and throwing man and kayak into the water, un- 

 doubtedly very rare, is said to have been practiced 

 not only at King Island but in some parts of Green- 

 land. Both Alaskan and Greenland hunters often 

 lashed two kayaks together, in order to rest in rough 

 weather. Many kayakers using the narrow models 

 laid the paddle athwartships across the deck to 

 help steady the kayak when resting or throwing 

 a weapon; this is basically the same as hold- 

 ing the sculls of a racing shell in the water, to 

 steady the boat. Lashing two kayaks side by side, or 

 parallel with spacing rods, was commonly done to 

 enable the craft to ferry persons or cargo across 

 streams. Some Alaskan Eskimo thus converted 

 kayaks into catamarans and then fitted a mast and 

 sail, but such an arrangement was never used in 

 rough water. 



The methods used by a paddler to right a capsized 

 kayak, without aid and while he was still in the 

 cockpit, have aroused the interest of many canoeists. 

 It was used by the King Islanders, some of the Aleuts, 

 and the Greenlanders, who at times, it is said, would 

 deliberately capsize their kayak to avoid the blow of a 

 heavy breaking sea, then right it when the sea had 

 passed. The Eskimo are reported to be gradually 

 losing this skill, but in late years European and 

 American kayakers have learned this method, called 

 the "kayak roll," of righting a decked canoe with 

 paddler in place. It follows in general the Green- 

 land method. In the Appendix (p. 223) is an 

 illustrated description of the kayak roll, supplied by 

 John Heath. 



Traditionally, the weapons used by kayakers were 

 darts and harpoons, the bow not being employed, 

 since wetting would damage the weapon. Various 

 forms were used, and many were thrown with the 

 "throwing-stick" to increase the range and force. An 

 inflated bladder or skin was often carried to buoy the 

 harpoon line and tire the game. Bolas and knives 

 were also carried. All eastern kayaks appear to have 

 been propelled with the double-blade paddle, but 

 folklore suggests that the single-blade kayak paddle 



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