I agree with Paul: figure out what your needs are and then build a boat to fit your needs. Both companies design good boats, and one or two of either company's designs should fit your needs. I have a CLC Chesapeake 17. I love paddling it. Why didn't I build a Pygmy? Pygmy didn't offer plans in the design (Coho) I wanted to build. I wanted to build my kayak entirely from the ground up. Had they offered just plans for the Coho, I'd probably have built it.

There is a lot of negative advertising between the two companies. Don't let it discourage you. Building and paddling a wooden boat is fun. It is heartening to see more friendly discourse between Nick Schade, Jay Babina, Rob Macks, Eric Schade, Joe Greenley, and other strip-built kayak designers.

I'm sure both designers have gone through a lot of iterations in all of their designs, so all their designs should be good for their intended purposes.

CLC offers cambered decks with sheer clamp construction. Pygmy boats have multi-chined arched decks that are totally stitched&glued. Is one better than the other in the great scheme of things? Probably not--pick the one whose looks you like the best and build it. The most important thing is to get it built (well!) and get paddling! (And to not be seen paddling a plastic boat!)

Shawn

> I am looking to purchase a full kayak kit and am having trouble finding
> objective comparisons between the various companies. Does anyone know
> where I can find reveiws of these. If it matters, I am most interested in
> Pygmy Boats' kits vs. Chesapeake Light Craft.Thanks