Third Quarter - SPE Thermoforming Division

Thermoforming
Quarterly ®
Tom Derrer, Eddyline Kayak
The Art of Thermoforming
Eddyline Kayak
[Editor’s Note: We wish to thank Tom Derrer of Eddyline Kayak for contributing
this highly original piece to Thermoforming QuarTerly. It is just another example
of how thermoforming as a process is being used in new, innovative ways.]
The City of Bend, Oregon and several other local area businesses sponsor an “Art in the Park” program.
Each year they solicit entries from numerous artists for project ideas. They have a selection board made up
of commissioners and citizens and they make a selection which is funded by the city and sponsors. This year,
Troy Pillow (www.pillowstudios.com), a Seattle artist, submitted a proposal and rendering of the kayak “flower”
sculpture. It was voted in unanimously by the group. Troy then researched various kayak manufacturers and methods
of construction and approached Eddyline. After several meetings discussing the merits of various materials and
looking at different kayaks, Troy decided to use our Merlin LT model. Eddyline put nine boats and nine paddles
into production to meet his needs, three of each color: red, orange and yellow. The paddles (the stamen of the
flowers) are all black. Troy had engineering help to design the structure, which he says has been tested to winds of
85 mph. It was erected on May 5th and 6th, 2010.
Close-up of the ”stem” of the kayak
structure.
Tom Derrer and his wife, Lisa, photographed
beside the sculpture in Bend, OR.
12 Thermoforming QUArTerLY