What model Shrike did you choose?
Shrike
What modifications, if any, did you make to the design described in the Build Manual?
I added a knee tube to house a hand pump, Maroske deck fittings, and pre-bent laminated thigh braces as Peter M.
designed.
What is the weight of the finished kayak?
14.5 kg (32 pounds), including hatches, skeg, knee tube, deck lines, seat, back rest and adjustable foot pegs.
Anything you wish you had done differently?
As an experiment in weight reduction I reduced the thickness of the sheer clamps to 12 mm (0.5 inches). This was a
mistake, as the timber was not sufficiently rigid to ensure a fair curve in the gunwales, and the weight of the clamps
distorted the curve while the epoxy was setting.
Any tips you’d like to suggest to future builders?
Take a lot of care over the shape and position of the thigh braces in the cockpit rim. West Greenland kayaks are highly
responsive, but they can only respond if you have good contact with the vessel.
How does the kayak perform on the water?
It’s responsive, well-balanced, it rolls easily, and is a lot of fun. The limitations on its performance are mine.
