> Most of the comments on various BBS about the Yare are negative. Most of
> them are correct. However, there is a bright side. It's cheap, and it's
> fast to build. It gets you in the water faster than any of the others.
> It's fast in the water too, and it tracks like a train. Don't bother
> building one if you're over about 160# though, because it is really tiny.
> My wife is 145#, and she can't wiggle into the one I built in '95, but my
> 84# son loves it. Primary stability is zero though, so make sure the
> paddler has good balance, bracing and reentry or rolling skills.

I'm about 140#, 6'1". Someone a bit heavier and shorter could paddle the Yare.

Yes, do have good bracing skills, if you haven't now you will have soon!!

I've recently finished a modified version (that is based on the YARE), 5 metres, bulkheads part of the structure while being built, large hatches, rudder. It is tippy, no doubt about it, so its first trip was day loaded (couple of thermos flasks, spare clothes, 6 litres of water and anything else I could think of taking. Next time on the water was a 4 day trip, loaded it was good. Last Sunday when I got in it for a morning paddle I wondered what the tippiness fear had been - you CAN grow into it.

It does have "funnies" when bulding and there are tricks to pull things together without stress (to yourself).

E-mail me if you want encouragement. It is now my boat of preference, probably because of its light weight, really fast boat - and that's before it gets in the water!!

Alex