Plyak - Any builds, plans or info

[BadgerBoater]

While looking at some of the old plans available from Svenson's web site, I came across a plan featured in Mechanix Illustrated called the Plyak. The bio at the end of the feature lists plans available from Steve Ellingson, U-Bild Enterprises, Van Nuys, CA.

Anyone build one of these? Are plans still available? Does anyone have plans they would like to share? The article provides some drawings and dimensions, but there is a lot of info missing.

I'm in the process of trying to build the Plyak from the article, having the strongback set up and the frame pieces cut out. Just getting ready to lay out my cuts for the gunwale and chine strips. As soon as those are finished, I'll be ready for the keelson. This is the tricky part, as I'm sure there was a more detailed layout offered with the plans. Without the plans, I'm going to have to interrupt what I can from the article.

Anyway, I'd be interested to see what's out there for builds (pics?), plans or other info. I'll be sure to post some pics when complete. Thanks! :cool:

[BirchBark]

Hi Rich,

I looked at that one pretty closely myself. My feeling was with the hard chines and so many frames would make a heavy boat. It seemed like a possible candidate for a stitch and glue build.
If you look closely at the scans someone penciled in dimensions of the keelson. They seemed accurate, scaling from my 8 1/2 x 11 print. I think you would have to loft it to verify though.
I'll be interested to hear of your progress. I might even change my mind and build one too.

Chris

[JimD]

Nice looking little yak. Might come in at less than 30 pounds if it were built stitch and glue.

[BadgerBoater]

:) Hi, Chris -

I agree that this build may be heavier than I would like, but I'm about quarter of the way through it now. I'll finish it off, and then go back and see what I can change to make it a quicker build with stitch-n-glue. Getting rid of the hard chines and gunwales will help a lot.

I did download the article andenlarged the drawings just to get the dimensions a bit clearer. It helps, but making the frame piece templates is till a little time consuming. I'm at the point of "fine tuning" the chines and gunwales. I think there may be a bit of a problem with the dimensions shown for the #2 frame - it seems to be off a bit. Oh, well - I guess that's the fun of re-creating one of these old designs. Build and learn! Or, something like that. I'm working at a leisurely pace on this one, so it's going to be a bit before I'm ready to start attaching the plywood.

I'll take a couple of pics and add them in the next post.

[Cuyahoga Chuck]

To get an idea of the current state of quickie canoe building take a look at this.
http://www.bateau2.com/free/cheapcanoe.htm

This type of construction is not very traditional but it produces hulls that are light, strong and fast to build and the cost isn't bad either.

[BrianY]

at http://dngoodchild.com

PLYAK ... Here is an excellent plan for an 11 ft. 3 in. plywood-skinned kayak.
David Jordan, 6 pages, 2 plate(s), Pub No. 5141, $4.95

[Bagneaux]

It is very heavy and handles like a canoe, not a kayak. I built it from the online plans at Svensons: http://www.svensons.com/boat/?p=RowBoats/Plyak

It is pretty tender due to the v bottom on a narrow hull. I taped the the bottom seams to be sure of no leaks.

[stevelima]

I'm building one of these,so far no problems with the keelsom or keel,I built it in one piece insted of two pieces. It's not very heavy. The only problem I have had is on one in my aera carries 12' plywood so you have to scarf the joints,unless you are really good at them they are very ugly, so I'm painting the sides and bottom, the top will be strip wood. not sure what yet. still upside down.