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It's all about the boat

Based on the reaction to the last post, by popular demand I present...


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The Chesapeake 18, from CLC Boats. This is a "stitch and glue" lightweight kayak that is sold in kit form and you construct on your own. Its made of mohogany wood structure with fiberglass and resin overlays. This particular boat can carry a large person like yours truly with 300 lbs of gear for Sea Kayak camping. It took about 60 hours to complete, with the bulk of the hard labor spent on the cockpit ring and its compound curves and angles.

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If you are looking for a fun project thats easy to build and you have the space, I highly recommend this manufacturer. Their support was fantastic and the materials and supplies were of very high quality.

I am by no means a highly skilled woodworker, do not get the idea that you need to be a master carpenter for this to work. Its very simple to construct this boat and requires no more skills than are needed to follow instructions that are no more complicated than making a cake or making a cabinet that you bought at IKEA.

I got this boat because I wanted a Sea Kayak, but I simply could not justify the expense of a hobby that could cost thousands of dollars even for a used kayak. Chesapeake Light Craft offered an outstanding design that looks beautiful ( and handles excellently!) for less than most sit-on-top plastic kayaks cost.

Posted @ August 06, 2007 10:38 PM | Current Events

Comments

It looks like Folsom Lake.

Posted by: Shane at August 7, 2007 11:16 AM

Natomas actually. Power boats and jet skis dont mix well with kayaks.

Posted by: frank martin at August 7, 2007 11:24 AM

Too true, although the scouts canoe on Folsom near Beals Point. However, they don't venture far from shore.

Posted by: Shane at August 7, 2007 09:08 PM

Beautiful kayak! Congratulations. My husband is working on a CLC sailboat kit and has loved every minute of it. He works out of the house and it's made it easier to stop for a lunch break rather than working through it. We appreciate your blog-

Posted by: kate at August 8, 2007 08:47 AM

thanks for that. I as the builder of course see every single little teeny flaw, but I really did enjoy making it.

Posted by: frank martin at August 8, 2007 09:24 AM

> Natomas actually. Power boats and jet skis dont mix well with kayaks.

Sure they do. Ya just need a big enough blender. No problem after that.

8oD

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Posted by: Vittle at August 11, 2007 12:57 PM