I just completed my Chesepeake 17, built from plans, from CLC over the weekend and for what it is worth I figured that I would share some observations with those interested. The boat was built using 1/8" ($8.00 per sheet) luan for the deck and hull. The hull is glassed nside and out with 6 oz. glass. The deck was precambered and glassed underneath. This makes the deck very rigid and installation is a one man job. 1/4" luan was used for bulkheads and top combing rim. Fiberglass butt joints were used throughout with only one flat spot detected. This was on the deck at the tip of the bow where the short section is added. This should be a scarph. Butt joints seemed more consistent than scarph joints in the 1/8" material for the rest of the boat. The boat was built in approx. 35 hours and weighs about 44 pounds, without hatches. I think that it should have weighed less but like most first time builders I used too much epoxy. (large fillets, etc.) I used Raka epoxy (350 non-blushing hardener) and fiberglass for a total cost of about $300 for everything except for the seat. I added West System white pigment to the final coat of epoxy on the hull which helped to see if the final coat was consistent thickness as well as helping the paint to cover. After only paddling it once so far I think that it is a very good design and seemed to do what it is supposed to. I just wanted to say thank you to everyone on this board for their direct and indirect help and thanks to Nick for maintaining this valuable asset to all builders.