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David W. Zimmerly

HOOPER BAY KAYAK CONSTRUCTION
by David W. Zimmerly

This book documents the construction of a Bering Sea style-kayak made in the community of Hooper Bay, Alaska in October and November 1976 under the direction of Dick Bunyan. Written as journal entries, the text details construction from the initial splitting of the wood to the final fitting of the cockpit lashings. Each step is illustrated with black-and-white photographs and line drawings. The author has also included detailed measurements of the kayak, a glossary of Yupik terms, and descriptions and drawings of kayak accessories. 2000.  107 pages, 84 figures, 89 photographs, 1 map, 3 appendices.  Second addition.  ISBN 0-660-17511-8 This book is the second edition of Hooper Bay Kayak Construction, first printed in 1979.  It is signed by the author and available for $19.95 US, plus $4.00 US shipping and handling ($29.95 Cdn, plus $6.00 Cdn S&H). [Ordering Information]   [1 November 2000]   OUT OF PRINT

Construction and Use

In the fall of 1976, I spent a month in Hooper Bay, Alaska studying kayak building. Master kayak-builder Dick Bunyan, 69,  constructed a typical Hooper Bay kayak frame from driftwood found on the Bering Sea beaches.

I was able to film, photograph, measure and study the complete process and then ship the completed frame back to the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Ottawa, Canada.

A full-text version of the study is available separately. Photos and captions detailing that construction are under preparation below.

Hooper Bay Kayak Construction Photos

1. Driftwood on the Bering Sea beach near Hooper Bay

2. Dick Bunyan adzing a deck beam from a driftwood root.

3. Dick Bunyan, left, supervises the splitting of a large log for kayak parts.

4. Dick Bunyan splitting a log for kayak parts.

5. Dick Bunyan fitting forward gunwale ends together.

6. Dick Bunyan bending a kayak rib without steaming it.

7. Aloysius Hale sights down the keelson.

8. Aloysius Hale fits the crucial first rib in the kayak.

9. Upper and lower bow pieces faired and tied together.

10. Pulling the stringers down to final placement.

11. Aloysius Hale putting hot water on the outer cockpit
    coaming.

12. Cockpit coaming is temporarily tied to the frame.

13. The completed kayak frame.

14. Aloysius Hale's canvas-covered kayak on the Bering Sea ice.

15. Hunters sighting for seals at the floe edge.

16. David Zimmerly and Aloysius Hale relax after lunch while seal hunting.

17. Hooper Bay hunters sighting for seals at the floe edge.

18. Cockpit of Silas Tomaganak's kayak.

19. Silas Tomaganak with spotted seal.

20. Zimmerly's reconstruction of Hooper Bay kayak.

Photographs

Photo 1 - click to view (62.2kb)

Driftwood on the Bering Sea beach near Hooper Bay. Most of the wood used for kayak construction is black spruce. Large trees are uprooted and fall into the Yukon River, make their way to the Bering Sea and are deposited on the beaches periodically.

Photo 2 - click to view (44.9kb)

Dick Bunyan adzing a deck beam from a driftwood root. The natural curve of the root gives the finished product great strength.

Photo 3 - click to view (41.2kb)

Dick Bunyan, left, supervises the splitting of a large log for kayak parts.

Photo 4 - click to view (6.4kb) 

Dick Bunyan splitting a log for kayak parts. The outer  section being split off will not be used. The boardwalk in front of Dick s house is used during the muddy spring thaw which makes walking through town otherwise impossible.

Photo 5 - click to view (43.6kb)

Dick Bunyan fitting forward gunwale ends together.

Photo 6 - click to view (11.8kb)

Dick Bunyan bending a kayak rib without steaming it. His teeth act as a clamp to prevent the outer fibers from splitting while crushing the inboard ones to facilitate bending.

Photo 7 - click to view (20.0kb)

Aloysius Hale sights down the keelson to make sure it is straight before inserting the first rib.

Photo 8 - click to view (34.6kb)

Dick Bunyan watching Aloysius Hale fit the crucial first rib in the kayak.

Photo 9 - click to view (63kb)

Upper and lower bow pieces faired and tied together. The ends of the stringers fit snugly against the concave portion of the lower bow block to prevent chafe against the cover.

Photo 10 - click to view (50.6kb)

Pulling the stringers down to final placement. The ties around the hull are temporary.

Photo 11 - click to view (7.9kb)

Aloysius Hale putting hot water on the outer cockpit coaming rim to bend it.

  Photo 12 - click to view (45.7kb)

The cockpit coaming is temporarily tied to the frame in order to fit the cockpit /gunwale stanchions.

Photo 13 - click to view (30.8kb)

The completed kayak frame just after being removed through a window in Dick Bunyan’s house.

Photo 14 - click to view (28.3kb)

Aloysius Hale's canvas-covered kayak on the Bering Sea ice preparatory to seal hunting. Note the kayak sled used to haul it over the ice. In the water the sled is attached to the after deck.

Photo 15 - click to view (19.7kb)

Wilfred Bunyan, Dick Bunyan's son, and Aloysius Hale sighting for seals at the floe edge. The kayak on its sled was attached to the sled behind Wilfred which was towed by a snowmobile.

Photo 16 - click to view (28kb)

Author David Zimmerly and Aloysius Hale relax after lunch while seal hunting.

Photo 17 - click to view (16kb)

Hooper Bay hunters sighting for seals at the floe edge, rifles and kayak at the ready.

Photo 18 - click to view (34kb)

Cockpit of Silas Tomaganak's kayak. Note salt-grass mat, hook for towing seals and sled on after-deck.

Photo 19 - click to view (23.3kb)

Silas Tomaganak with spotted seal just towed in by kayak.

Photo 20 - click to view (11kb)

Author's reconstruction of Hooper Bay kayak after 
being covered with canvas and painted with typical water monster design.

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Last modified: 06 May 2014    - Visitors since 12 June 2000:

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