I can only comment about the CLC Chesapeake 17. I built mine last summer in about 100 hrs which includes 6 coats of varnish. Yes, the plans and directions could be more specific, but the ommissions are not severe enough that they cannot be figured out. The boat looks and paddles beautifully. I paddle mostly in open ocean conditions and can say nothing bad about the boat. The kit was perfect, the fit of the wood exellent, and all material first class. After very crefull consideration to weight mine came out at 41 lbs including glass inside the cockpit and on the outside hull! What can I say, I love the boat.

> Hi, I'm a new but compulsive sea kayaker. I feel I've outgrown
> my plastic starter boat so I want to buld the boat of my dreams. I
> think S&G is good enough for now, I'm too eager to get in the
> water to try a stripper.

> But I'm agonizing over which design. I've been watching this
> bbs and the builder's log, and I have yet to see any comments on the
> new Pygmy Coho. Anyone have any first or second hand scuttlebutt on
> how it performs? Also, what I've read while lurking leads me to believe
> Pygmy and CLC are equally excellent in kit quality, plan clarity,
> and customer service--true?

> Thanks, Bill