One thing that I never anticipated when I started building the Guillemot was it's potential for generating resentment from my spouse and kids. I have been doing most of my building at night after the kids go to bed. My wife now refers to the kayak as the "long curvey mistress in the basement you keep visiting at night".

I got my kids involve in the woodworking parts but with epoxy fumes and fiberglass dust hanging in the air, I have not been enthusiastic about them helping with the latter stages. I guess Edgar Kleindinst has the secret...build it together with his wife Judy.

When I read about guys who spend 5-10 years building 40' boats in the back yard I get more intimidated by the prospect of balancing a personal life than the actual building process. It is easy to get obsessed with these projects. I can only imagine the reception I would get if I were to announce that I was going to spend 5000 hours on a real boat.

All this and I havn't even gotten on the water yet!!! Maybe I should take up golf.

Jack

PS. One other observation - I have yet to see a woman post to this board. Is this an exclusivly male thing? I have met many female woodworkers. What happened to the kayak builders?