: alright everybody, I am nearing the end of building a Schade Guillemot and I
: am getting huge pressure from my 6 yr old daughter to build her a kayak. I
: have been keen on the idea of designing a boat and this seems like the
: perfect opportunity. I'd like a boat about 10-14 feet long in typical
: sea-kayak style but I am having a hell of a time finding the software to
: do it.Nick mentions MaxSurf in his book but even the big software
: wholesalers here in Vancouver have no idea what I am talking about. I'm
: not a computer wiz but I can figure stuff out.....can I ask for some help
: out there for some info from folks who have done this...thanks...James

James, I used the free download "BearBoat" kayak designing program for my first boat last year. You don't have to be smart to use it. You just plug in the sizes and it spits out a boat. It gives you options like making the kayak flat, semi rounded or rounded. And if you get into an area of design that is a no-no, it lets you know. What is nice is, you print out your forms on your computer and tape them together for full size cross sections. I couldn't find that I could print out the Bow and stern sections so I took the side views and blew up those sections on the computer and printed them. I have lost my information on where to download the BearBoat program but you can look in the archives here on this board or maybe someone can tell you.
John