> "Definitely" is a strong word. There can be a lot of reasons for
> doing something that don't neccessarily qualify as a "design
> feature". For example I often cut strips in half lengthwise before
> installing in a boat. I do this because it is easier to install them in 2
> pieces than in one. This doesn't qualify a "design" feature.

Nick,

I agree that the word "definitely" is incorrect in this context, as we know very little of the intentions of the original kayak builders. The point that I was trying to make is that a very stiff kayak could "definitely" be built out of the raw materials available to the Aleuts, as demonstrated by the stiffness of the Greenland designs. In other words the Aleuts could have built much stiffer boats by changing their construction methods, but for whatever reasons did not do so.

BTW, the high speeds obtained in the Molokai Challenge are obtained by surfing the large ocean swell. Of course, we don't know if the speeds recorded for the Aleuts and Greenlanders were similarly influenced by surfing conditions or as George Dyson notes in his article, from knowledge of local currents.

Greg Stamer