[Paddlewise] Pygmy Arctic Tern

I've built a Pygmy Arctic Tern and paddled it for a year, and I love it.
I've never felt the deck seemed weak, despite only one layer of glass.  I
treat it about as I would treat a fiberglass kayak - I don't sit on it, I
don't stand on it.

Regarding CLC v. Pygmy, I think Pygmy's multi-chined decks are more
attractive: by using several panels, they are able to get a deck with
positive sheer (the curve between the stem and the stern, like a banana).
Try holding a sheet of stiff paper in an arch, like a deck, and now try to
bend it on the other axis at the same time.  I think John Lockwood has taken
the stitch and glue method farther.  CLC boats seem to be rather overbuilt
in the deck area when I've tried them - too much wood and too many
mechanical fasteners, not enough reliance on the strength of the
fiberglass-wood composite.

A big reason for extra glass around the cockpit, I think, is because the
boats are essentially a very strong, efficient composite tube with a notch
cut in them (like cutting a notch in a straw)- the cockpit opening
unfortunately considerably weakens the form.

I do find that all of the Pygmy boats are WAY too roomy, however.  They
really seem to be designed for large people carrying lots of gear.  I
appreciate the foot room (I am 6'-0" and with size 12 feet), but I had to
add the extra knee braces to make the keyhole small enough to be
comfortable, and the boat is pretty beamy (23", I think).  I wish they would
design a low-volume Arctic Tern...

If you're thinking of building a boat, get as many reviews from people of a
similiar size and build.  A boat that somebody who's 5'-8" with size 8 feet
swears by might be very uncomfortable for a lerger person.

Severn


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