Ross,

Thanks, this is one I'll be watching -- I'd like to build it to compare with my Outer Island. Both have the same overall dimensions (18'x21.5") but they differ considerably in hull shape. I'm also thinking it would be a good boat to try for reducing weight with 3mm okoume and 2 layers of 3.2-oz. cloth. I was thinking of flush-mounting 2 VCP hatches as Bobby did, but with 2 oval ones like the Valley Avocet has. Of course this will add back some of the weight I'd be trying to reduce...

I'm also curious to see how heavy it ends up being, with the 5mm lauan and 7.5-oz. cloth. Are you planning on just taping the inside seams as the instructions call for? My Tern has an inner layer of 6-oz. cloth that covers the lower hull panels and about 1" up the side panels to reinforce the chines.

Also, do you plan on having a scoop in the flat deck to lift the hatches?

TO ANYONE ELSE SERIOUSLY INTERESTED IN BUILDING THIS KAYAK: I have plotted all the corrected points and drawn smooth curves in CAD at work, although I haven't yet plotted them full-size. I just started a 1/8 scale of this kayak out of poster board. If there are A FEW people who are seriously considering building this boat and would be interested in full-sized gratis plots, please e-mail me directly. I don't want to push my luck at work, but I should be able to make a few plots off our 36"-roll laser printer. If this happens be illegal, please let me know; I ass-u-me that it's O.K. since the plans were printed in the magazine...

Dean