> Hi, I've been kayaking for a couple of years now, mostly in plastic
> touring boats. I'd like a longer, more performance-oriented boat than what
> I've been paddling (14-15' plastic boats). Fiberglass or composite boats
> are out of my price range, and I'd like something that'll last longer than
> plastic (and that doesn't look like tupperware).

> I've been slobbering over the Pygmy catalog and website, and I think I'd
> like to try my hand at building a wooden boat. They're beautiful, and the
> Pygmy boats seem to get great performance reviews, too. I like to make my
> own stuff (I tie all my own flies, and I've built some flyrods, too), but
> I have very little woodworking experience.

> My primary questions are:

> In addition to something like Pygmy's Full Kit, what other tools and
> supplies do I really need to build a stitch and glue boat from a kit?
> About how much more money over the price of the kit am I likely to have to
> spend?

> How much room do I really need to build a kit kayak? Would a 10X20' room
> give me enough space to build a 17' kayak?

> Is is REALLY as easy as Pygmy and CLC's promotional literature says it is?

> Any other advice would be greatly appreciated as well!

> Thanks,

> Steven Jarvis sjarvis@dicksonstreet.com Fayetteville, Arkansas USA

Absolutely go for the Pygmy. I just bought a kit last week and it's been a good experience so far. I live in Seattle and went to their shop and test paddled several models. If you're looking for a stable boat with ample storage space, I'd recommend the model I got - the Osprey Standard. I bought the boat kit and a hatch kit which was extra. The instructions list everything else you need (clamps, brushes, etc). I got all of this plus material from which I could build a workbench. My total out of pocket expense should be done and I'm at less than $1200, about 1/2 what I would've paid for a new fiberglass boat.

As for building it, the guys at the shop are very willing to answer questions over the phone. I'm not very far along, just glued my first panels tonight, but I'm addicted already. Go for it! If you want any other info on the other boats I test paddled, feel free to drop me a note.

Brion