Aloha Zax,

I had a similar delima when I built my 1st boat. I decided on the Guillemot Double with a modified deck. Instead of a "double" I designed a deck with one central cockpit and 2 more kid-sized cockpits fore and aft. The kid-cockpits have oversized removable hatch covers that can go on when I don't have a passenger in there.

The boat is done now, and it's a lot of fun to go paddling with my kids, and I put the hatches on and go solo when the conditions are rough.

To give an honest critique, the forward kid cockpit seems to take on more water than I'd like when the waves are up. All cockpits in the boat are "open", we don't use spray covers, it's too warm here in Hawaii. I may add some sort of deflection sheild someday.

It also needs the rudder (currently in the works). because it is difficult to keep on course when the seas are quartering from behind.

Anyway, my kids enjoy boating so much, that I am now building a Pygmy Golden eye 13 for the kids (or my significant other) to paddle solo.

My stripper can be seen at the link below. Note that in the photo below, I hadn't yet finished the foam outfitting of the cockpits, so you see lots of duct tape. It looks better now.

Regards, Paul

> Hi there! I've been trying to decide on a boat to build. Here's
> my situation. I want to build a double with the thought that my wife
> or daughter will someday catch this bug and want to paddle with me.
> Unfortunatly, I think I'll probably be flying solo most of the time.
> Can anyone recoment a design that is very low volume (perhaps 17')
> that would serve this purpose. I've been looking at the Guillemot
> and the Guillemot Double but think the double will be too much boat
> for me to move alone. Also does anyone have any hatch building tips
> to create a hard, waterproof hatch out of the front cockpit when it's
> not being used? Thanks in advance for your help! Zax