Tom: I just recently decided upon a boat after much research and a review of the archives in this listserve...check it out....in the search just put in the name of the boat you are looking at. I am not familiar with Chad's boat, but I know that the Guillemot is a great boat. You might want to contact Chad Richard or Nick Schade to see if they know of anyone in your geographical area that paddles their boats.

I would highly recommend that you paddle a boat before building it, if at all possible. I posted on another listserve and a fellow in the neighboring town(coincidentally) offered to let me paddle his Outer Island (by Jay Babina). I had been familiar with Jay's boat...once I paddled the boat...it was love at first sight!

The folks on this forum are great....and there is an incredible amount to learn from the prior postings. See if you can track down a number of boats within driving distance and look at them...sit in them...and hopefully paddle them....it will be well worth it. I will be starting my Outer Island in a few weeks...the research and networking prior to deciding was well worth it!
Best of luck...Bob

Ihave found were to get the wood for my strips,and figured out which glass I
: want to use(raka). Now I need to decide on a design. The plans I have now
: are for a Chinook designed by Chad Richert. Its 16ft. with a 24"
: width. I purchased them through a magazine and include everything on two
: sheets (half stations side by side. I also like the Guillemot 17 and the
: Endeavor. my problem is I have ony been in a kayak twice. one a open
: cockpit Keeowee II(very wide) and a sit on top Ocean Kayaks Tandem. would
: the narrow beam of the Guillemot give me a problem. I really Like the
: design and I also don't want a wide Kayak I'll grow out of Quickly. Most
: of my paddling will be on lakes around Atlanta and South Eastern Tenn.
: Maybe some in Savannah and N.C.- Outer Banks. I've also thought of a
: double. any suggestions will be appreciated.