Obvoiusly this wasn't meant for me but it fits so close I had to chime in.

> Thanks for the info, here's a couple more questions for you:

> I got the book "The Kayak Shop" that details construction of the
> Cape Charles 18 and orgininally thought about making it. Had concerns
> about boat being bigger then what I needed (I'm about 6', 175 lbs), how
> did the boat fit and work for you?

I'm 5-10 and 190. It fits me very well. I've been real happy with the Cape Charles. I have had it for three seasons.

> Also, did you just fiberglass tape the seams only, versus glassing the
> entire hull and if so any problems with not glassing entire hull?

I glassed the bottom only on mine, 6 oz up to a little above the waterline. I've scraped it pretty good a few times and never gone through the glass. Most of my paddling has been in calmer water though.

> What are the "catastrophic failure's" you foresee resulting from
> the 1/4" luan that wouldn't occur with 4 mm Okume?

I saw a Cape Charles that had had a rock go through the deck. He was paddling in Alaska at the time, repaired it with duct tape. It was pretty thrashed, I'd not want that to happen to me.

> Also, what's the second boat your building?

I'm launching a Tred Avon this spring. It's on hold until after the holidays.

> Is the reason for building second boat to address dislikes about the Cape
> Charles and if so what might the dislikes be?

Actually I chose the TA because the Cape Charles has the qualities I want in a double; lots of room and stability. Eventually I'll build a guillimot, partly for a higher performance boat and partly for the looks of strips.