: Steve,

: Please clarify, I'm a bit fuzzy on one point, do you mean you are helping
: your three boys make their CC kayaks over the break, then help the troop
: with their kayaks afterward? Does this also mean your kids will have two
: kayaks each?

: Second (serious) question, what plywood did you choose? I know the plans for
: the roomy open double 15' calls for 3/8" BS marine plywood (I am
: guessing the 15' fast touring also calls for that kind of plywood?). I had
: planned on using 3/8" Finnish Birch plywood, but can't source it
: locally in sheets larger than 24" x 30" and am considering a
: couple of suitable alternatives. The one problem with exterior grade
: plywood is that the plys are very thick (not to mention it is typically
: warped), I prefer the thinner and more plys of the Baltic/Finnish birch
: plywood and am considering taking two sheets of 1/4" ext. ply and
: gluing them to make one 1/2" ply with 6 plys vs. 3 for typical
: 1/2" exterior ply. Unfortunately, that will also make my boat
: heavier.

: Thanks,
: Paul

Hi Paul,

The boys will have one kayak (the ones we are building now), and then they can help the rest of the troop build theirs.

I used the Baltic Birch plywood. The plans call for 3/8" thick. My lumber yard had to order it, but it only took 3 days. One 5'x5' sheet was enough for all 3 sets of ribs. These boats will see light use and a couple coats of varnish should be good enough.

Steve