Boat Building Forum

Find advice on all aspects of building your own kayak, canoe or any lightweight boats

Had been getting over a twenty year windsurfing addiction and most of my sailing buddies were switching to kiting. I almost followed them, but realized that it's just a different strain of the same virus. Wife bought fast sea kayak Solstice (yuck), so had to get SOMEthing to try and keep up. Friend at Small Boat Exchange had used Arctic Hawk, so traded in my rowing shell and Arctic Hawk taught me the joys of paddling. Second day out I was in love with the feeling. Started shaping GPs; again, love. Found a used kevlar Andromeda, more love. Built Night Heron, still more. Got tired of waiting for Uncle Nick to release plans for S&G Petrel so bought a glass Necky Eliza and modified the fitting as I do in all of my boats. (I move the seat fwd so I can get on the back deck, and raise it to give me a more dominant position without losing TOO much stability) The Eliza is like a Guillemot Play, so it's great on a big day; plus it's a great guest boat for smaller paddlers who have never been in a boat that comes close to fitting them! Have been experimenting with skeg/keels lately and think there's a great solution to a number of problems.

Have a nice place in the Champlain Islands in Vermont looking out over the water at the Adirondacks, semi retired. Get on the water alot in all kinds of conditions and would love to host visitors. Got everything you need: beds boats vests skirts paddles bikes etc., and thats just SUMMER sports....