> Help! I have started a kayak from commercial plans that really suck. I
> would be glad to reveal who's by e-mail. But at the present time I would
> be glad to just get it to work.

> (1) I'm at the stage where you stitch the beast together and I have some
> concerns. Boat is 198" stem to stern and has a 22" beam also is
> only 11" deep at amidship(sides) Will this thing even float 200lbs?

No problem. 16' x 22" is a little smaller than I think is average, but what do I know?

> (2) How are the sides and the bottom supposed to go together? edge to
> edge- or bottom over sides and sanded back(my idea) or what? I have loosly
> wired it this way.

Edge to edge. Be careful here, it's the most important part. I use a ladder strongback, and support the boat at the sheer, level athwartships. Then eye the keel from underneath, make sure it is straight and plumb. Also eye the symmetry of the panels, they should match. It's easier than it sounds. Also, it's not hard to cut it open if you make a mistake.

> (3) How do you figure the angle to cut the sheer clamps at stem and stern? CLC has a web site, I think it's on there. Paul said it pretty well; stitch as far up the stem and stern as possible. Stretch a line from stem to stern, and mark the sheer clamps with that. Then cut, plane, or sand fair. I have used a 3mm plywood board with 40 grit auto paper stuck on both sides with success.

> (4) Does anybody know of a similar design that would show location of
> cockpit and bulkheads for a boat this size? I would greatly appreciate any
> comments and or help you guys might have for this prarie boy.

Not sure I can help here. I think that your center of balance should match the boat's. Your center of balance when sitting is about 4" from your spine, or right under your privates... Nick's book has a good description of this, talking about figuring how far to move the cockpits in a double to account for different weight paddlers. I think if you put the back of the cockpit 4-5" behind the boat's center of gravity that should be close.

This is a great place to post questions, welcome aboard!