Hi Folks, For at least six months I'd been considering getting a kit from Pygmy. Two of their designs really appealed to me (Arctic Tern and the Osprey HP) and I'd heard such good things about their designs and kits. Luckily, one of friends here in Vermont just ordered and built their Arctic Tern kit and I have had lots of chances to padle it on Lake Champlain (which comes pretty close to big sea conditions pretty often). Every thing about the boat is as they say, but it just wasn't right for me. Too beamy and too much volume: I felt like I was too high up out of the water, and it was too stable for my level of experience. Esthetically, it is an exquisite boat. So, I'm searching for the right boat again. This time, I bought the book by the builder from Guillemot, "The Strip Built Sea Kayak." I guess I am going to go all the way and build a cedar strip boat. The one that appeals to me (from description and specs) is the Guillemot. It's only draw back for me is the length (only 17 feet) and lack of cargo space. However, I believe that almost all of my kayaking will be day paddles and short camping trips. This could be the perfect boat. Any suggestions out there? Bill Oetjen woetjen_at_zoo.uvm.edu *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Nick Schade's book "The Strip Built Sea Kayak" makes making a strip built kayak very doable. His instuctions are clear and easy to follow. If you like his Guillemot, but want one which is larger, you should consider his Guillemot Expedition Single. It has the same nice lines of the Guillemot, but at 19', it is 2' longer than the Guillemot. It also tracks much straighter. The offsets for this boat are not included in the book, but you can order plans from Guillemot Kayaks, or even order a kit. The book describes the method, so it applies to all his boats. There are also several other companies selling plans for boats that are larger, with more cargo space. Building a strip kayak takes time, but the results are worth it. John William J. Oetjen wrote: > > So, I'm searching for the right boat again. This time, I bought the book > by the builder from Guillemot, "The Strip Built Sea Kayak." The one that appeals to me is the Guillemot. > It's only draw back for me is the length (only 17 feet) and lack of cargo > space. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Bill, talking about low volume, longer boats, asked, "Any suggestions out there?" Have you considered the CLC line? I recently finished the CLC North Bay --- about 18'6", with a 20" beam --- and am having a lot of fun with it. It's a challenging boat, but beautiful and fast. Their Patuxent series are also an option for a fast, low volume boat. They can be seen at www.clcboats.com. Jack *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Bill, have you considered a skin on frame Aleutian (badairka), you can give it any configuration you want. I built mine totally from the instructions in the book " The Aleutian Kayak" by Wolfgang Brinck who is also available through E-mail for help and advice. Its a beauty boat, 20"x17' and just under 40 lbs, really fast too..............bob klemick JCMARTIN43_at_aol.com wrote: > Bill, talking about low volume, longer boats, asked, "Any suggestions out there?" > > Have you considered the CLC line? I recently finished the CLC North Bay --- about 18'6", with a 20" beam --- and am having a lot of fun with it. It's a challenging boat, but beautiful and fast. Their Patuxent series are also an option for a fast, low volume boat. They can be seen at www.clcboats.com. > > Jack *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Bill, I built an Arctic Tern last winter (from a kit) and I really love it. My only real complaint is the size of the cockpit (too large). Now I am bitten by the building bug and I , too, am looking at the Guillemot strip built models. I am leaning toword the Expedition model (19') or the Night Heron(18' I think with a 20" beam) . One of these two might be just what you are looking for. Another possibility from Pygmy is the Coho (17'6" with a 22" beam), it's slightly narrower and tracks better then the Arctic Tern. Warning: building your own boat can become an all-consuming hobby! But the rewards are well worth the effort and you will never lack for conversation with other kayakers. Most common statements: Wow! That's a beautiful boat.... Did you build it yourself?.... How much does it weigh?... Have fun deciding, building, and especially paddling your kayak when it's finished. regards, David Guy Kingsport, Tennessee *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Last Saturday me and a friend went to a kind of seakayaker meeting in Mahone Bay Nova Scotia. The local outfitter hosted retailers and suppliers on his lawn and a bunch of seakayakers and tourists showed up during the day to chat and browse. Lots of tupperware and fibreglass boats on display and for free try out. Lotus design PFD's (Lola and Straight jacket) have now Canadian DOT approval, and there were 2 nice fibreglass boats from a Canadian manufacturer (not CD) for less than 2000$CAN catalogue price (both more like the british boats, small cockpits and skeg). If I would need to buy a boat I would be between one of those and the PW Capella (strong tupperware). Our 2 trusty Volkskayaks (beaten up and heavily loaded with gear, a local stitch and glue design) looked quite interesting for some people (Is that fibreglass? No it's plywood. Were did you buy them? We built them! Really???? Yes you could do it. It's 900 $CAN for the workshop and 40 hours later you walk away with your own boat.....). The most interesting boats for me were 2 skinboats, a recovery kayak and a baidarka. Boy, it was real fun to paddle those. I really should built one next winter -maybe a foldable greenlander. Still time to think about that. The boat building virus was mentioned in an earlier post. It is so easy to catch it... Oh yes, we also paddled during the afternoon and evening. Was funny to find our camp on one of the islands in the pitch dark foggy night. First time I paddled only guided by instruments (compass and GPS). Have to move the compass closer to the cockpit (Suunto Orca), since it was a bit hard to read on the hatch cover. Cheers Ulli Dr. Ulli Hoeger Dept. Physiology and Biophysics Dalhousie University Halifax, B3H4H7, Nova Scotia Canada Phone I : 902-494-2673 Fax: 902-494-1685 Phone II :902-488-6796 http://is.dal.ca/~uhoeger *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
At 02:44 PM 7/4/00 -0300, Ulli Hoeger wrote: >DOT approval, and there were 2 nice fibreglass boats from a >Canadian manufacturer (not CD) for less than 2000$CAN catalogue >price (both more like the british boats, small cockpits and skeg). >If I would need to buy a boat I would be between one of those and >the PW Capella (strong tupperware). Is that the Formula Diamante and/or Serenity? Tried one out a month ago and it was real tempting. Of course, the Nimbus Telkwa was more tempting . . . but more expensive. Anyway, the Formula boats seem to handle very nicely, and would seem to be one of the better bargains out there. -- Wes *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Yes, Bill the Guillemot is _The_Perfect_Boat_. But of course, after spending 7 months on one, my opinion, admittedly, is HIGHLY biased! There is enough space for daytrips and overnights--if you pack well, 2- or 3- night trips would be fine, as well. The boat handles great, too! Shawn *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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