help finding research material kayak design

There is also a free program out there called kfoundry that is supposed to help with this stuff. I downloaded it but never tried it. Google for it.

 

Need to? No, but it sure helps, especially if it's a method of construction you haven't used before.

 

Kayak Design

here is more: http://www.pygmyboats.com/Comparison.htm

 

It's been a while since I read Sea Kayaker and I just looked at a sample copy at their website. http://www.seakayakermag.com/SK_FEB_2010-DLD.pdf The sheet I linked to above is a supplement to the review with more hydrostatic data than in the reviews. The review includes a subset of the hydrodyanmic data, the stability curves plus hull sections so the shape is available (though with limited accuracy) and resistance estimates from two methods.

 

What size models? What will be the use of the models? What do you want to learn from the models?

 

cthippo mentioned kfoundry software. I assume he was refering to KayakFoundry which can be found at http://www.blueheronkayaks.com/kayak/software/software.htm
It appears to be an integrated hull shape design, hydrostatics analysis and performance prediction package which is also free, though a donation is requested. The manual includes a description of how the author of the software designs kayaks.

Not what breschau is looking for but might be useful to someone else reading this thread.

 

I have seen both k-foundry and bearboat both are fine utilities. Bearboat seems to be the more advanced of the two imo. Freeship is a more generic tool, fewer limits and restrictions. Still trying to learn bearboat to make use of its features.

I need the model to check stability, wave handling, bow angle with load. Will a 1/10 or 1/20 model do?

When I mentioned textbooks I was referring to books like these, they exist on many fields I thought they might exist for different boat types too:
http://www.google.com/products/cata...og_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CGQQ8wIwBA#

http://www.google.com/products/cata...og_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CEUQ8wIwAA#

 

Found something, I feel dumb for missing Mr.Lazauska's site. I thought only the programs were public domain.

http://www.cyberiad.net/kayak.htm

Havent finished them all but the papers seem to be focused on drag. I need something like this but on volume and weight distribution, wave handling, keel line variations.

 

Honestly, I'd go for a 1/4 or 1/8 scale model, depending on the expected size of the finished boat. If you go to small the surface tension will screw up your results.

 

Sorry, I think you need to paddle some kayaks. Find nearest kayak rental. The paddler is an essential part of kayak stability. Kayak is more a boot than a boat. So how your body reacts to the movements of kayak and your (learned) body activity are more important than passive stability that you can test with models. If you need more passive stability, try wider kayaks.

How will you study bow angle effect in a model? Or directional stability and wave handling? With a standard electromecanical paddler and acceleration sensors? Few rented real kayaks are much inexpensive. If you think that observations with small models (1/20) can apply to real kayak, why not apply normal naval architecture to kayaks? In both cases the error is the living paddler factor you can't test without paddling.

 

Mr. Cthippo
If 1/4 - 1/8 range is suitable , I shall go for 1/5 for ease of scaling.

Mr. Terhohalme
I am asking what scaling factor will be suitable not advocating a certain number. I am planning for a model to mainly to visualise how it will sit in water with the scaled load, and will the bow float or pierce a wave. Wave handling may be a broader subject and I may have misused the term. I dont know a kayak rental service where I live. Even if there is how do you quantify tracking. Lets say you tried a boat and feel the need for some more tracking, how would you decide how much you should change the keel line. As I have stated earlier I am looking for applications of naval architecture on kayaks or one man boats. If there is such a book I would like to study it.

 

Mr. Bresschau, I assume you wish to build a kayak for the waters in and around Istanbul. To advise you on the design of a boat it would be helpful to know a bit more about the waters where you intend to paddle. All I know is, it’s a very large seaport and power boat and rowing races are held offshore. My own experience is limited to lakes and rivers, but I may be able to direct you to other sources of information.

It would also be useful know the purpose you intend for the boat. There are huge differences between kayaks intended for sea cruising, inland cruising, white-water rivers, wave riding or surfing, kayak gymnastics, sprint or long-distance races, fishing, camping, simple day use, to give a few examples. You may wish a solo boat, or a double, there are even multi-hull and foiling kayaks.

The numbers applicable to drag, speed, stability and other issues are not very useful until you have a feel for them, which is acquired by experience; a kayaker has an intimate relationship with his boat and classroom instruction or book knowledge does not provide feel. Contact with a paddling club would be of great help; paddling clubs are often found near rowing clubs, which may be easier to find in you area as competitive rowing is - I understand - well-established there.

At present I am not sure if your plan is to construct a kayak of your own design or whether you need more information to help you select a suitable design to build. There are many great designs available for many different purposes, and the variety may be confusing. To design your own is not easy and it is unlikely you will succeed with the first attempt: a kayak is the most personal of all watercraft as you literally wear it, and it requires considerable insight to specify the requirements for a custom boat. Models have been mentioned: a model can be built for many purposes, to explore a particular design in miniature, to represent a full-size boat for display and educational purposes, or simply as an ornament; again the purpose drives the methodology.

I suspect you may be an engineer: if so, I sympathize. It is indeed a curse, one that I also suffer from. It is probably best to start this project by identifying what you wish to end up with, a boat, a knowledge of design, or an example of craftsmanship.

 

I am indeed working in the field of medicine. Quite the opposite of engineering in its practices. My approach to problems caused some of my mentors to like me and caused some to develop headaches . Everyone is trying to help in their own way and I am thankful for the concern but let me state my problem once again. Responders as a whole say "try many models", "get a feel of it", "use one of the existing designs". I am unable to evaluate any design without the ability to quantify some aspects of the design like tracking, brooching, windcocking. Granted I could find information about drag, initial stability, draft-displacement relations for different hull types. Yet I am coming to the conclusion that specifics of kayaks are not a course subject or a prime field of study for the naval engineers.
It maybe because the original designers were illiterate and did not pour their experience into words. It may be the low economical value of the market, I have no idea. In my field we have several books not only on main branches, not only on each offshoot, but even on specific illnesses. I will go on with my research, try to find something for rent and generally make do with what information available. When I have at least a month of time to spare in my summer home (its in bodrum on aegian cost), I shall have a go and build one.

My thanks for all contributions.

 

I beg to differ as the measurement system is quite sophisticated and based on the proportions of the end user. Leg room, beam, length, etc are all derived from units of the paddler's own body.

 

Read "The Bark and Skin Boats of North America" by Adney and Chapelle, "The Canoe, A Living Tradition" by John Jennings and possibly "Building the Greenland Kayak" by Christopher Cunningham.
All have extensive notes on design factors and will answer your questions.