Hey...

My dad built a double paddle canoe (nymrod 12?)from one of Platt Monfort's kits Light wood frame, reinforced with Kevlar and skinned with heat-shrink dacron (or nylon...I know not)

Its really light maybe 12lbs for a 12'x36" (estimating) canoe.

It was easy and fast to build...my dad has built a plywood sailboat or two years ago and found this project fun to do by himself.

--eric

: Lew,

: Actually, the best way that I know of to get an ultralight kayak is to make a
: skin on frame kayak. The Alaska Recovery kayak is similar in size and
: weighs about 13 pounds. Or you could measure offsets from your Walden,
: build the basic forms, put stiners on and skin it. I have suffered a back
: injury myself, so I try to keep my kayaks as light as possible without
: sacrificing strength. The best strength to weight ratio that I know of is
: with skin on frame kayaks. Try a nylon or polyester skin for light weight
: and excellent strength. Dacron for even lighter weight but less
: durability. A spruce frame will also give you an excellent strength to
: weight ratio.

: I think what you have suggested will work, but you would get more strength
: for that weight with a skin kayak. I would think that your layup would be
: somewhat fragile at that light weight.

: Let me know if you want to check out the skin on frame option and I could
: point you to more information.

: How do you intend to use this kayak?

: Mike