Wetting the kayak in the crystal clear water of Lake Superior was the best reward for almost a year of building. Ilena and I launched the Iggy with little fanfare. John Amren, owner of Superior Coastal Sports in Grand Marais was the only other attendee, and he was there because we choose the beach behind his shop as our point of departure for a tour around the Grand Marais harbor.

The Iggy is a semi-replica of the 1959 Ken Taylor kayak that spawned the Anas Acuta and spurred modern British recreational kayaking. The original Iggy was built as a skin-on-frame in Igdlorssuit (Illorsuit is the new spelling) by Emanuele Korneiliussen. Since then it has been built a number of times in different materials. The materials used in this build were 3/16” cedar strips dyed blood red, fiberglass, carbon fiber, and plastic hatches.

The Iggy on the Beach before launching.

Heading out to round Artist

Reflections in the varnish. A KajakSport dayhatch. Carbonfiber coaming rim.

Next to another wooden boat at the North House Folk School.

Bryan finishing an Angel Roll.