You most certainly do have some options besides Chesapeake. Have you talked to the folks at Pygmy? http://www.pygmyboats.com/ They make kits with a good reputation. You should also talk to Waters Dancing in Canada. I'm building one of their boats and I'm very pleased with their kits. Very complete as well, so you won't have to go scrounging around for the parts they leave out. Go to http://www.WatersDancing.com/

Good luck.
Paul

: Hi.I am considering building the Chesapeake lt17 from a kit.

: I don’t really have an alternative to Chesapeake as I live in Europe and
: don’t know of any other kit boat available here (and I don’t have the
: skills required to build from plans).

: I need a reasonably stable boat – if I were buying a glass boat I would go
: for the skerray.
: I am buc 3* and hope to graduate of 4* in the next couple of years
: but,realistically my skills are never likely to get above that level.

: I am 6’ and 176# .
: I would be using the boat on the atlantic.
: How good a rough water boat is it?
: Much of the information online seems to be from flat water paddlers.
: .
: I would probably fit a C trim rudder.

: I would really appreciate your opinions on the seaworthiness of this boat.
: Many thanks in advance.