Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Build your own kayak (or canoe) erg from a used Nordic Track

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Fully Functional Kayak Erg (Exercise Machine) from a used Nordic Track

Updated for 2017

You can build a fully functional Kayak Erg from an old Nordic Track.  These now out of fashion classic 1990's exercise machines used a high quality set of one-way needle bearing drums and a flywheel system...that with the addition of some strategically located pulley's, some rope guides, a bungie cord, one 2 x 4 and plywood seat, can result in a smooth, very water like kayak exercise machine that performs as well as the commercial units.  The construction approach re-purposes as much of the Nordic Track as possible, using the core wooden frame, wheels, pulley's and the metal legs are used to create the support for the seat on the kayak erg. The original "ski's" are even used to brace the seat and the chest cushion is converted into the foot rest for the kayak erg.




Often a used Nordic Track can be found  craigslist for less than $50.  With a used used Nordic Track on hand you will only need about $40 in wood and hardware to build your own retro looking kayak exercise machine.   A full set of plans, including detailed steps, pictures of each phase have been developed that will allow you to build your own unit.  No special tools are required beyond a hand saw and rechargeable drill/driver.

A 19 page comprehensive set of detailed step-by-step plans with pictures will be provided to you for only $30 (see screen shot below).  You simply make a Paypal payment to the following address, include your email in the PayPal notes...and we will then send you a PDF file with a detailed construction manual.


You can also make a Canoe erg that works just as well.  The rope path and pulley systems for this unit are completely different than the kayak unit.  However, the result is also a very realistic water type feel and an excellent work out machine.

To get the manual just do a send $30 via Paypal to:

missourikayaker@mchsi.com   AND ALSO email me via the email below 

Note: We will need a working email address that will accept a PDF attachment (screen shot
of a portion of the pdf attachment below)

The above email is not monitored and is only linked to my PayPal acct 

BE SURE TO ALSO EMAIL ME (using the email below) TO LET ME KNOW YOU MADE PAYMENT ( PayPal does not always notify me )....also this lets you indicate which version (canoe or kayak) you want 

vikingpaddler using gmail email services 

(you can also send payapal payment to this email...it is linked to same account as the mchsi.com email (I do this to avoid getting buried in spam on my primary email account)




above is the canoe erg




4 comments:

  1. Will this work for a steel frame Nordic Trac as Well? I have one and plenty of plywood/2x4s

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  2. As long as it has the ski rollers you should be able to adapt it...but will have to vary from the instructions....but principle is the same (rope path etc)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi,
    Are you still selling the canoe erg plans?
    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As of 3/22 I was still able to purchase these plans by emailing vikingpaddler.

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