Elders carrying a finished Netsilingmeot kayak frame in Kugaaruk.

The Netsilingmeot kayak evolved for use primarily in fresh water. Netsilik hunters used this kayak to ambush, then pursue and lance caribou swimming across rivers and lakes. The kayaks are narrow for speed and yet quite stable because of their great length.

The Netsilingmeot kayak traditionally has no spray skirt, relying instead on the upswept deck to shed water. It is one of the few traditional kayaks with a noticeably reversed sheer - the tips of the gunwales are much lower than at the cockpit. This is done to keep the ends of the boat low and to prevent cross winds from causing it to weathercock (be blown off course.)

Netsilingmeot kayak course

Complete List of Boats