> Regarding both the West river and the Chesepeake LT, I would favor the LT for building ease and overall performance. I built a Chesepeake 18 from a kit (very easy) and a West River (from plans). Using a West river kit would be much easier than from plans I think but I have found I like the performance of the Chesepeak better. I find that it is more responsive to leans and carved turns which I like very much. The West River is VERY stable but if you're using leans and edging to initiate turns and course corrections I find the Cheaspeake crisper in handling. The big thing is which type of hull style and paddling you will be doing rather than ease of building because the information and support from Chesepeake Light Craft is excellent!