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

Tom, sorry it took so long to get back to you. I had some PC problems that kept me off-line for a couple of weeks. No slight intended.

> 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 a large person (6'2" and 260 lbs) and wanted a large boat. I also have limited range of motion in one knee and wanted something easy to enter and exit (granted, this is an issue of cockpit design, rather than hull design or size)With our weight difference, you may be able to use the 17'. I'd follow the designer's recommendations (which I don't have here in front of me) regarding carrying capacity.

> 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 seams and about a six-foot section of the bottom, right under the cockpit. My thinking was that this is the lowest portion of the hull and most likely to catch a rock or log (I do some of my paddling in a large, slow river near my home). This has proven true, as several scratches under the cockpit will attest. None got through the glass into the wood, though.

> Did you have any problems with the 1/4" bending to fit the deck?

Should have clarified that I didn't use the 1/4" for the deck. Found a thinner sheet - about 4 mm - at the lumber company. I would tell you what to ask for if I remembered, but the name they used slips my mind. It was about the same price as the luan. It worked fine - I bent the deck and fastened it down by myself.

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

I don't have personal experience with luan failing, but some of the things I read after building my boat led me to think the luan version should be limited to lighter duty. When I read reports of laminations separating under hard use, I get nervouse, even if it has not happened to me. I'm looking at some more-demanding outings for my second boat.

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

Actually, I'm building a second Cape Charles, using some lessons I learned during the first project. The idea behind a second boat is to use better materials, make fewer mistakes and build something nicer than the first and suitable for tougher use. That, plus I enjoy the building almost as much as the paddling. I live in Michigan and want to spend some time on the Great Lakes in a boat that can take it. The first boat will probably be relegated to taking my daughter and nephews out on the river.

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

See above. I don't have experience in a lot of different boats, but see no reason to change.

Good luck, whatever you decide.