The following books, tapes and other references listed below are not intended to be an exhaustive list, but represent many of the most popular resources. In addition to these references there are many historical texts as well, that are rich in information and await your discovery. For selected reading material please visit the Qajaq USA bibliography.
As described in the side panel, building a Greenland kayak does not follow a set of predefined "plans", rather it entails a building method. The beauty of the Inuit method is that right from the start, you can interact with the frame and tweak how it fits you.
Depending on your personality you may prefer to pick just one book for kayak building and stick to that, or to read several all and sort out the many differences and conflicting advice. The latter approach will cause some confusion, but by studying multiple resources you will be more likely to have a better understanding of the process and common variations. Remember too you aren't alone. You have an entire community of online help and expertise via the Greenland kayak forum.
By far the most difficult thing about kayak building is simply getting started. It can seem overwhelming, at first, when you try to comprehend he entire project. Fortunately, building a kayak is not difficult, especially once you break down the process into a simple series of manageable tasks. That said, expect some head-scratching and expect some mistakes. Remember, though, that you aren't building furniture, you are building a Qajaq!
Instruction in Kayak Building by H.C. Petersen
Excellent guide to building a Greenlandic Kayak with text in Greenlandic/Danish/English. Now available online from the Qajaq USA store (free shipping within the USA). Also available from Atuagkat and Neriusaaq Bookstore. Prices are in Danish Kroner (DKK); you can determine the equivalent rate in US Dollars (USD) via The Universal Currency Converter . Some non-Greenlanders prefer a cockpit location further aft than described by Petersen. An excellent companion to this book is Chris Cunningham's two articles on "Building a Greenland Kayak", Sea Kayaker, Winter 1992, Spring 1993. Reprints are available from Sea Kayaker Magazine.
Skinboats of Greenland by H.C. Petersen
Although the kayak building information is limited, this beautiful book contains a wealth of information on the kayak gear and fittings, including weapons and also has a section about the umiak. Useful if you wish to make your own throwing stick, tuilik and other gear. Now available online from the Qajaq USA store (free shipping within the USA). Also available from Atuagkat, Neriusaaq Bookstore or Nunatta Katersugaasivia Allagaateqarfialu (Greenland National Museum and Archives) at grnatmus@greennet.gl.
Making Skin on Frame Boats by Robert Morris
Morris documents building a Greenland-style skin-on-frame kayak using pegged deck construction. Also included is building information for a North Alaska Retrieval/Recovery kayak, Netsilingmeot kayak, baidarka, Pram Dinghy, Providence River Boat, Canadian Canoe, and a Upper Yukon style skin canoe. Details from Amazon.
Building a Greenland Kayak by Mark Starr
Mark teaches a course on Building a Greenland Kayak at Mystic Seaport. This book documents his process and provides detailed instructions with illustrations, materials and tools lists as well as other pertinent information. Deck construction is mortise and tenon and forms are used to shape the ribs. Includes several kayak surveys. Call Mystic Seaport Bookstore for more information 800-331-2665. Details from Amazon. Additional information »
Building the Greenland Kayak: A Manual for Its Construction and Use by Chris Cunningham
Chris Cunningham builds upon his two popular articles in Sea Kayaker magazine in the creation of this book. Chris adds many of his own ideas for kayak construction including specialized jibs, milled ribs and a "hammock method" of covering the kayak/stretching the skin. Includes plans for a low-volume version designed for rolling; an especially stable version for children; and discussions of kayaking equipment, paddling, and rolling techniques. Details from Amazon.
The Aleutian Kayak by Wolfgang Brinck.
(Currently out-of-print)
Wolfgang describes building an Aleutian kayak using mostly natural materials, including a canvas skin. Deck construction is pegged. Included is a chapter on kayak dress with a pattern for a Greenland tuilik, with directions on how to adjust the fit. The appendices cover repairs, steamboxes and ribs and how to create mortised deck beams. Details from Amazon.
Build Your Own Sea Kayak video by Bob Boucher
This video describes how to build a "West Greenland-style" kayak using pegged deck construction and natural materials. Good overview to help new builders understand the end-to-end process. 2 hrs. 40 min. Bob Boucher, 9070 N Range Line Rd, River Hills WI 53217
Phone: 414-228-8360
Hooper Bay Kayak Construction by David W. Zimmerly
Morris documents building a Greenland-style skin-on-frame kayak using pegged deck construction. Also included is building information for a North Alaska Retrieval/Recovery kayak, Netsilingmeot kayak, baidarka, Pram Dinghy, Providence River Boat, Canadian Canoe, and a Upper Yukon style skin canoe. Details from Amazon.
Eastern Arctic Kayaks — History, Design, Technique by John D. Heath and E. Arima
With contributions by John Brand, Hugh Collings, Harvey Golden, H.C. Petersen, Johannes Rosing, and Greg Stamer. Although this is not a text on kayak building, it is rich in kayak surveys, history and information about Greenland and East Canadian Arctic kayaks. Heath and Arima provide a broad context of the history and cultural significance of these kayaks. The surveys by Heath, Harvey Golden, Hugh Collings and John Brand (excerpts from Brand's "Little Kayak Book" series), should be useful to many builders. Includes technique information by Heath, H.C. Petersen and Stamer (a chapter on "Using the Greenland Paddle"), and a trip narrative by Rosing. Details from Amazon. Also available from Jessie Heath.
Kayaks of Greenland — The History and Development of the Greenlandic Hunting Kayak, 1600-2000 by Harvey Golden
(580pp); an in-depth look at the construction, design, variation, and evolution of the Greenlandic hunting kayak. The spectrum of kayak forms from Greenland is linked to pre-historic forms from the Bering Straits and is analyzed within a changing cultural and climatic context. 104 scale drawings of kayaks are presented, representing examples from the early 17th century through the end of the 20th century. Aside from the 104 scale drawings of kayaks, there are 407 figures consisting of historic images and technical illustration. 79 paddles are also presented in scale-drawing. Available from Harvey Golden.
Kayaks of Greenland Illustration Index
This compilation by Ben Fuller, is a companion to Harvey Golden's "Kayaks of Greenland" reference (above) and provides a handy cross-reference to the kayak illustrations in Harvey's work.
Build a Greenland Kayak (Online "Instructables") by Wolfgang Brinck
Online instructions. This method of building a Greenland Kayak is a blend of the HC Petersen and Svend Ulstrup methods with adaptations by the author. The link above is to the introduction page. The actual instructions are spread across 7 separate Instructables.
Greenland Kayaking Audio Glossary
A cooperative effort between Qajaq USA members and Maligiaq Padilla, the audio glossary contains a number of audio WAV files of terms related to Greenland kayaks and kayaking. Recorded in Sisimiut Greenland, July 2002.
Pavia Lumholt's Website (adding fabric bulkheads to a Greenland kayak)
Pavia Lumholt is a board advisor (a past-board member) of Qajaq USA. Pavia, a veteran of the Greenland kayaking championships, is past-president of both Qajaq Nuuk and Qajaq Copenhagen . Pavia provides a photo essay of adding fabric bulkheads and hatches to a Greenland kayak.
Traditional Kayaks: Appreciating and Understanding Arctic Kayak Designs Through Research, Replication, and Use by Harvey Golden
Harvey has built an incredible number of replica kayaks. Harvey's site is a "must see" and contains many photos, replicas, adventures and travels, comprehensive resources, and more.
Sea Kayaker: Early Greenland Kayaks Return To The Water by Harvey Golden
Harvey Golden examines the history of the Hindeloopen and Brielle kayaks, thought to have been brought back by Dutch whalers in the 17th century, and recounts his observations of replicating and launching these 300 year-old kayaks to gain insights into their qualities. The article includes a detailed survey of the Brielle.
Baidarka List Archives
Discussion on every aspect of qajaq building. Searchable archive and Cultural Information. Excellent Books and Reference section. Also information on Steam Bending.
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