Hi Dan, I have to agree with Mike; the S&G process is the FASTEST way to build a wood kayak. What should you build? It depends: are you going to Ontario in a month or in a year? :)

I built the CLC Chesapeake 17. It's a great boat, handles well, fun to build, looks good. I want to build a Guillemot - or maybe Nick's new Auk design. Anyway, I'm definitely sure I could have handled a strip boat on my first boatbuilding effort. I had my boat done in 3 months easily. 1 week solid work, 1.5 months off, then about a month of evenings 3-4x per week. Do you want to stop traffic on the waterway? Build a strip boat! Or, you could build a S&G boat with a stripped deck.

If you're settled on the CLC Ches. 18, I'm sure it would be a good boat for that trip. I weigh 190, and I've had about 50 lbs. of gear in it and it handles fine..I'm sure I could carry more.

Shawn

> I plan on taking a three week kayak/camping trip through the Trent Severn
> waterway in Ontario, Canada. I'm trying to pick the best kit to meet my
> expedition and boat building skill level (novice). I am currently leaning
> towards a CLC Chesapeake 18. I am just over 200 lbs and will be carrying 3
> weeks worth of camping gear so I need a boat with big displacement and I
> obviously what efficiency and stability. I think building stitch and glue
> is the easiest for beginners, is it? I'm strong enough to handle the boat
> but my paddling technique is that of a novice, should I order a rudder?
> Any other tips on boat selection, accessories or suggested gear for
> camping would be greatly appreciated.

> cheers, Dan