Thanks for the kind words, guys. Of course, Hy-Vis Yellow (TM) is entirely about visibility. However, every little scuff mark, glue drip and ill-advised Sharpie mark is equally visible, so I see why some builders go for dark colours. All you would-be first-time builder lurkers note, the best reason to post pictures of your build online is so you realize that at 680x480 your wrinkled boat looks just as good as everyone else's,.

I had her out a second time (not counting the photo shoot in the retention pond), this time on Lake Winnipeg, the 10th-largest freshwater body in the world. Wind SSE 17 knots, half-metre chop with a wavelength about half a boat, and raining most heartily. From the beach, it was certaily more intimidating that the first time on the local creek. I figured either I would be swimming within 50 metres, no problem, or I would be fine. It was more than fine.

The frame flexing was very sexy (ooh! ooh!). With my back barely off the backrest station I had just the right smidgen of weathercocking - paddling at 45 degrees off the wind I stroked barely harder on the upwind side. Paddling downwind took more attention but wasn't bad. Going directly across the wind was also good, I felt the kayak would be fine as long as I didn't do anything goofy, and this is the second time I've paddled any kayak outside a swimming pool.

A good time was had by all, especially since we could avail ourselves of Ken Sutherland's hospitality to get out of our wet gear, AND he fed us a great spaghetti meal before we drove back to Winnipeg.