Plyak: A Double-Ended Plywood Kayak Just Over 11 ft
Steve Ellingson's Plyak is a compact plywood kayak with identical ends, built on a simple 2 x 4 strongback for one person plus a child.
The name says a lot: plywood plus kayak, and not much fuss in between. Plyak measures just over 11 ft (3.4 m) with a 30 in (0.76 m) beam, roomy enough for one person with a child tucked in. Its ends are identical, which halves the number of shapes you need to get right. Frames are cut from 1/2 in. exterior plywood and set up on a 12 ft 2 x 4 strongback, a setup that fits most garages.
Plyak at a glance
| Detail | Plyak |
|---|---|
| Type | Kayak |
| Length | Just over 11 ft (3.35 m) |
| Beam | 30 in (0.76 m) |
| Capacity | 1 person (plus a child) |
| Construction | 1/2 in. exterior plywood frames on a 12 ft 2 x 4 strongback; identical ends |
| Designer | Steve Ellingson |
| First published | Boat Builder, p. 24 |
| Plan sheets | 6 |
Why it is a friendly first build
Identical bow and stern mean matching frames on each side of the middle, so the layout work is quicker and mistakes are easier to spot. A 12 ft (3.7 m) 2 x 4 strongback is cheap, easy to make straight and simple to store afterwards.
At just over 11 ft (3.4 m), it is short enough to carry and stow, and the 30 in (0.76 m) beam gives a stable feel for newer paddlers or a parent sharing the cockpit with a small passenger. Paired paddles or a single paddler both work in a hull this proportioned.
The original plan sheets
These are the 6 original sheets, scanned from the magazine. For building, use the full-size PDF in the download section below.
Who designed it
Steve Ellingson designed Plyak, published in Boat Builder on page 24. The six original sheets cover the plywood frames, the 2 x 4 strongback setup and the double-ended hull. It is a tidy plan for a first kayak.
Before you build
- Sight down the 2 x 4 strongback and shim it dead straight before any frames go on, since the hull will copy any bend.
- Fit a child's seating spot with care, keeping the extra weight low and centered so the kayak stays level.
- Keep a spare paddle and life jackets aboard, and try your first trips close to shore while you learn how it trims.
Download the plan
Steve Ellingson's six Plyak sheets in one file, ready to print full size or open on a tablet next to the strongback.
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