> Any recommendations for a QUALITY kit to build. I have a Kevlar kayak and
> want to build a kayak for my wife. Some kits are $1400 + while most are in
> the $600 range. What's the differance? Will be paddling mostly quiet
> lakes. I know that a lot depends on the size of the paddler and storage
> needs, but right now I am concerned about quality (read.. no missing parts
> and good manual), reliable, and caring company. Also,I have heard some
> poor publicity about Chesapeake Light (actually a WEB site downing the
> company and providing resources to "quality" companies).
> Anything to that? How about Pygmy, they seem reliable. Any help would be
> appreciated. Thanks.

John,

My two cents. In my experience CLC is a reliable and professional group. When I inventoried my kit, I found I was "missing" several screws so I called CLC. They explained that the inventory sheet was incorrect, showed me where in the manual I needed the screws (the number in the manual was the number I had) and then offered to send extras if I felt uncomfortable with that count. You can't ask for much more.

On to building. I also recommend Chris' "Kayak Shop" book. It filled in a lot of detail that the CLC manuals did not provide. I also recommend staying tuned to this bbs. I am continually amazed at the help and ideas that are passed on here (my kayak is the better for it). I ended up combining the information from the manuals, book, and KBbbs into my own manual. It helped me think through the building process and made it lots easier

BTW, that web site info was bogus. It was loosly connected to an unsolicited e-mail I received about a protest in front of the CLC shop on a certain date this spring. Supposedly 20-20 or some other large news group was going to be there to film the outrage of a "large" number of people. There was even going to be a drawing for five kayak kits from a "reputable company." Needless to say nothing happened on the announced date.

Some people got way to much time on their hands.

Happy Boatbuilding,

John, CLC Chesepeake 18