: : I know that typical claims for 17.5' kayak weights are on the order of:

: : 36 (CLC) - 40 (Nick) pounds for stitch and glue
: : and
: : 44 (Nick) pounds for strip

: : But what are the REAL weights.

: : I built a CLC stitch and glue using CLC plans (no deck fittings,
: : no hatches, no bulkheads, etc) and materials and came up
: : 4 pounds heavy (scale certified for trade). I then weighed samples of each material
: : on a lab scale, computed the weight of the epoxyed wood, and the fiberglass
: : (50% cloth / 50% epoxy).

: : Results:
: : No matter how good one is - it is impossible to build the CLC boat
: : (their plans, their materials, their construction methods) to their weight.

: : I should note that a plywood thickness variation of .5mm would allow a boat to be
: : built to their weight.
: :
: : I could go to the trouble of computing the weight of strip kayak but I don't even
: : know the most important item - the finshed wood thickness (let lone the density of the wood).

: : In any case, what is the chance of a first time strip builder producing a boat in the low 40 pound range.

: I have done some calculations about how much my kayaks should weigh. I always come up with a number at least 5 pounds lighter than what I actually acheive. My estimate of 40 something pounds is acheivable. Obviously it depends on how efficient you are with the epoxy. The tendancy is to over-do it. This will make the boat heavy. Then you have to decide if you weight the boat before or after you finish outfitting it. Seats, decklines, rudder, etc. My weights are based on measuring my boats after outfitting.