Bio

I knew I wanted to build a boat and had finally settled on plans. It was a glued lap strake, flat bottom rowing and sailing skiff. Eight years passed before I began building in 2001. Now I'm consumed by boat building. Skin on frame has become the method of choice. It is extremely organic. I live along the Missouri River in the southeast corner of South Dakota and the skin on frame kayak is the perfect boat to go up stream and down.

Boat building follows a natural progression for me. I first began working with wood in the late 70's. I have always liked to work with my hands making things and messing with materials. I have come to be doing custom carpentry and woodworking with an emphasis on old houses and restoration. I also hold a Masters of Fine Arts degree in painting. Much of that work has consisted of mixed media and water based paints that I would make using liquids pigments and acrylic binders. The later work emphasizes layering of translucent color to develop representational imagery. Building these skin on frame kayaks have incorporated both my visual and building skills. I have never experienced a deeper emotional connection to anything like I have when building boats. I have found my path.

The Kayak

The baidarka kayak is a unique form of beauty. Variations of this style evolved along the Aleutian Islands and the Alaskan coast. The arctic tradition of building skin on frame kayaks, using pegs and lashings to connect the wood members and sewing sealskins on were highly refined with the baidarka. The longstanding tradition continues today using ballistic nylon, artificial sinew, milled lumber and a variety of sealers. The most beautiful aspect of this building method is that it is primarily built by eye. Measurements and string lines insure symmetry and basic dimensions but your intuition and your eye create the final shape. The process begins on a flat work surface not on a form, making each kayak custom in size and performance to the individual. I use western red cedar for all of the framework, white oak for the cockpit rim and cottonwood (an abundant local wood that steams well) for the frames or ribs. The skin is then stitched on the frame and sealed with ten coats of water borne exterior polyurethane and pigments creating custom translucent colors. They weigh 30-35 lbs

Offering

* Fully completed custom kayaks
* Frame completed (skin, artificial sinew and instructions provided to complete your boat)
* Two-week intensive workshops (complete guidance through the process, little to no woodworking skills are needed. The desire is more important.)
* One-month workshops for locals. (Four full day demonstrations held weekly. You complete that stage of the process during the following week.)
* One-day arctic paddle making workshop


Contact info Rick Johns
26 Prospect St.
Vermillion SD 57069
605-624-9704