Aleutian kayak

The baidarka or Aleutian kayak (Aleut: iqyax) is a watercraft consisting of soft skin (artificial or natural) over a flexible space frame.

Due to the geography and climate of the Aleutian Islands, trees and wood were in scarce supply, and the people historically relied primarily on driftwood to create the framework of their kayaks, which they covered in sea mammals skins.

They developed two types of boats: a hunting kayak with a covered deck, and an open vessel for transportation and capable of carrying goods.

The men designed the baidarka frames to be light, fast, and flexible, tying together the wooden parts with intricate and spiritual knots braided from tough animal sinew.

Unungan women prepared sea lion skins which they sewed onto the frames with bone needles, using a waterproof stitch.

[4][5] Modern baidarkas are fast collapsible rowing boats, based on aluminum alloy frame with skin made of PVC fabric.