I've mailed about designing and building this kayak a couple of times, but now it's been properly outfitted and launched. It's not up to the craftsmanship standards of Miklos's truly beautiful boat, but I'm happy with the lines, and the performance. The design is based roughly on the Igdlorssuit kayak as entered into Freeship by Bryan Hansel - thanks again Bryan - with a few tweaks. Thanks again to all those who commented on the proposed design when I posted it here. (Andy, I still hope we can meet sometime to give it a go).

The design brief (well, more like vague hopes, 'brief' suggests I know what I'm doing rather more than is reasonable) was
- a do-anything kayak for my wife, who finds my Point Bennett too big
- a rough water play kayak for me
- stable enough to be relaxing when unloaded but still to perform well in waves
- straight tracking when you stop paddling
- but as manoeuverable as possible for rock-hopping
- neutral in wind, with no weathercocking.

Astonishingly enough, early tests seem to suggest it pretty much performs as I wanted. All the above is true, and it also rolls easily and surfs well. It's very early days, and we need to do a lot more miles before really drawing conclusions, but so far I'm not sure there's anything I'd change.

ps - blue deck lines were at my wife's express request. I think she's about to change her mind and request a change to black!