Dan, relax and have a homebrew...

I am also building a CLC boat, but mine is the Ches. 17 LT. I have had excellent results with CLC. When I recieved my kit a large section of the rear deck panel was trashed (like it got dropped during shipping, no fault of CLC). I called CLC and a new one was shipped without question or delay. When I ordered the adjustable foot braces the U.S. Postal Service somehow managed to step on that box too. The only thing lost were three bolts and CLC was just as helpful then also. Right now I am ready to glass the outside of the hull. Up to this point I have had two minor questions and each was answered quickly and courteously. I, like you, am not a boat builder. I did read Chis' book "The Kayak Shop" and read each of the books supplied with the kit and the plans many, many times over prior to starting the project. Between those four pieces of reading material and this BBS (which has a wealth of information) I have had most of my questions answered. On the next boat I build I will change a few things from the instructions CLC supplied. Not because of any errors, just ways to make the process a little smoother and quicker.

Instead of calling CLC on some of the issues (although Chris is very helpful) just post the questions here and they will be answered quickly. In fact, there is usually more than one suggestion from people who have had the same questions you do and solved the problem different ways.

Hang in there. In the end you will have a great looking boat.