Just finished the scaling for the new prototype 230lb LPB kayak size. I’m not exactly good at math (or thinking) and it’s not as simple as just multiplying all of the measurements by a ratio, so this is always a bit stressful. This time we are going for an exact proportional scale which is a little bit different than the modified scaling system I was using on the large size F1 prototypes last week.
Whenever I’m designing any new frame, I’m thinking about how I can work with common lumber dimensions to optimize material yield for my students, and I try to keep as many of the measurements simple whole numbers as I can (the scaled sizes of my West Greenland kayak being an exception).
I think this comes from my days of building houses and the deep rage that I felt whenever I would look at a plan set just filled with unnecessarily complicated details, and stupid measurements that were a horror show for material yield. You builders know what I’m talking about, when you roll open a plan set to reveal a ridiculously cut up roof that is gonna melt the minds of your framers and leave you with a dumpster full of offcuts, or building details that are literally impossible to construct, or will make it impossible for the trades that come after you to do their job. Seriously there should be a law that all Architects must work for one year on the job site of whatever type of building they are specializing in. But I digress…
Anyway, the scarf joint planed out nicely and the boards are perfectly straight and flex exactly the same, so that’s a win. Time to start building.
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