Updated Friday, August 15, 2008 10:44 PM
Plans kayak - Norton, €94
images | information | lines | particulars | history
The name Norton comes from Norton Sound at the north coast of Alaska, as a tip-of-the-hat to a suberb craft from the 19th century. But Norton is far from being a replica. The historical Norton Sound kayaks just provided the visual inspiration.
Norton is a deep sea expedition kayak for the experienced paddler – fast, straight tracking and roomy. It has less initial stability than Kavat, Thule or Nomad, which means easy, predictable movements in heavy weather. Together with the lean, powerful stem it lets a skilled paddler press on against almost anything. The straight tracking hull needs some persuasion to turn – by leaning over in turns or by mounting a rudder on the stern.
The length can be adapted to personal wishes simply by altering the distances between building frames. The size and form of the cockpit is also easily altered. Many builders favour a small cockpit hole to facilitate rolling. Although bulkheads and hatches are shown in the plan set I suggest you build your Norton without too many gadgets – the way kayaks have been used by countless generations of Inuit experts.
Images - Norton
Lines – Norton
Particulars - Norton
| Length: | total/lwl: 546/518 cm* |
| Beam: | total/lwl: 54/49 cm |
| Draft: | 12 cm |
| Cockpit: | 80 x 40 cm* |
| Height: | in front of/behind the cockpit 28,5/26 cm |
| Weight: | 17 kg |
| Load capacity: | 145kg – 377 liter |
| Calculated speed: | 8,8-12.0 km/t** |
| PC: | 0,56 |
| Wetted surface: | 2,14 m2 |
| Calculated drag: | ((4 knop) 3,49 kp – (5 knop) 6,46 kp |
| Stability: | (80 kg) normal – (max load) high |
| Intended use: | Expedition and touring, coastal and open sea. Day tour and exercise. |
* These dimensions can be adapted to suit personal needs or wishes.
** The speed numbers are based on mathematical standard formulas (175 lb paddler + 30 lb carco weight) and corrected from the kayaks actual performance om trials, on tours and in races.
I can also offer complete kits and professionally built and finished canoes. Please contact me for prices and terms.
The plans
Two sheets contains the nescessary information to build the kayak.
