I am currently building an Arctic Lite 19. It's lines are much like the Betsie Bay Recluse, which is a plywood Greenlander. This boat has been on the market for some time now. The owner and designer of Betsie Bay Kayaks, told me that he designed this boat as an affordable alternative to his other assembled boats. The Recluse for example costs $3000. The Arctic Lite kit is $750. But the Arctic Lite 19 has been a real flop. Contrary to Al's (the owner) expectations, very few kits have sold. He therefor has discontinued this boat. In fact, he made an exception and put a kit together for me. He was pretty despondent about that whole project. He has more business than he can do now anyway. Delivery time on a Recluse is about six months. His main gig is handmade Greenland paddles. Regarding the kit, all the parts are included, including epoxy and fasteners. It comes with good instructions, that include pictures. The long pieces, keelson, chines & gunnels, are three piece assembles. Six plywood frames help define the lines. I'm still working on the frame. Al says that if you stick to it, you can assemble this kit in three days. I've spoken to a few paddlers that have paddled this boat and they rave about it. I am normally a coastal rock basher. I'm building this boat so that I can keep up with my badarka buddies on our weekly afternoon sprints. I will post an update when I get this thing done and wet. Ken Mannshardt San Francisco Bay *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
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