Description
This course is aimed at providing tuition and support in the building of the Selkie: West Greenland kayak. Depending on the option chosen the course runs in varying time frames.
At the beginning of the course participants are provided with an overview of the process and some initial discussion of the tools and skills used. The course is carefully divided in to focused day by day tasks to ensure that the participant can complete the build within the allotted time to be able to take away their finely fashioned kayak at the close of the course. The aim is to leave with a finished kayak, but this is dependent on the participants progress over the initial six days.
Full course details and description available – Course page
Details on the paddler dimensions are required prior to the course to allow the timber to be prepared.
The course is effectively broken into three sections/ options with variable time frames and prices.
-
- Building of the frame – 6 days
- ‘Skinning’ the frame – 1 day
- This stage can be done at the workshop or later as the builders desire.
- Applying the polyurethane waterproof coating – 1 day
- This stage can be done at the workshop or later at the builders desire.
Please feel free to call if you wish to discuss any of this. UK. 07722018457
Bruce Martin (verified owner) –
My partner and I each built a Selkie with John. The kayaks are fantastic and the build process was great. The kayaks are obviously very different from our P&H Scorpios – which are great expedition boats, but not as much fun to paddle as the Selkies. I have had my Selkie out in a range of conditions up to F5 gusting F6. It is fantastic. Nice to roll (key point!), handles waves well, and dealing with wind is also OK – even without a skeg. The super low above water profile reduces windage and I have found that weather cocking can be controlled fine using paddle strokes. I accidentally tested the skin by getting dumped and dragged on some rocks, that resulted in scratches which I’ve touched them up with Black Witch. If you use a cockpit sock draining the kayak after a wet exit is easy – we’ve found that is best done by the person in water. When on shore it is a real joy to have such a light kayak. The biggest challenge has been getting used to entry to an ocean cockpit in a super tippy kayak – that’s now fine in small waves, but I still need to use a paddle float in larger waves. I have found that self rescue is very do-able, particularly with the aid of a paddle float in waves. On the course John was a wonderful teacher, very patient! We felt that we learnt so much on the course that we would have been happy to have done the course even if we didn’t end up with a pair of kayaks. In summary: brilliant course, brilliant boats!
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Working with John was such a fantastic experience. He is a very good teacher and an all round lovely guy. I could not recommend him or his instruction more highly. His knowledge of woodworking, boat building and kayaking means he is the perfect person to teach such a course. I will definitely be back – Aaron
robert bainsfair (verified owner) –
Spent a wonderful week skinning and finishing two west Greenland boats with John. Such a kind, friendly and knowledgable man!
Karen W. (verified owner) –
It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience plus I came away with a beautiful boat!
The boat shed where we worked was clean, organised and a lovely space to be in and John was very easy company to spend the days with.
I had virtually no woodworking experience but John was a patient and diligent teacher who explained each step of the process and offered as much or as little help as I needed.
Building the frame was engrossing work and though not physically hard, took a lot of concentration but was immensely satisfying. I loved working with mostly hand tools…all the tools were sharp and perfect for each job and he taught me to understand the wood as well as the techniques I was using to build the kayak. I really enjoyed thinking about the resourcefulness of the traditional builders and watching the boat take shape.
The finished boat is so light and I’m really excited to launch her and see how she paddles in the coming days.
All in all I can’t recommend the course enough…thank you John and Sally