John, I am currently building a Guillemot stripper, but have never paddled the boat. I chose this design based on my own needs, and from reading Nick's description of the boat's intended design. Nick talks about using design influences from whitewater boats, incorporating this into a sea kayak. I am 6'-0" 190lbs. I came to sea kayaks after 20 years of whitewater paddling, and am drawn to the Guillemot for its maneuverability and playful nature. I studied the lines of the boat carefully, and feel it will be just right.

Five years ago, I build a Shearwater Merganser S&G as my first sea kayak. I built this boat on recommendations from other paddlers, and had never paddled it. The Merganser is a wonderful boat for the large lakes in Montana, Yellowstone Park, and Glacier Park. But the Merganser is pretty stiff tracking, and is not my chosen boat for class I and class II rivers. The Guillemot will fit this niche, and still paddle well on the lakes.

Some paddlers have experienced frustration in getting the Guillemot to track well for them, and start considering a rudder or skeg. My whitewater background makes me used to boats that don't like to track. I prefer rudderless designs, but perhaps would change my mind if I actually got the opportunity to go to sea!

I read the post by Holmes, and his choice of the Night Heron makes good sense as a boat capable of tracking, while being maneuverable enough for the rivers. I have paddled my Merganser to Shoshone Lake, and the Lewis River channel does require some maneuvering. My method of avoiding the rocks was to get out and line the boat (pull it along with a rope). To Holmes: that is a very beautiful Night Heron!

Since you are not yet an experienced kayaker, perhaps you can afford to buy a used plastic sea kayak to get you started paddling. Then you learn what you like in a boat, and seek out opportunities to paddle strip-built kayaks owned by friendly paddlers in your area. I have paddled a plastic Prijon Seayak down a class II river, and it handled the rapids pretty well. Of course you could later sell the plastic boat with not too much loss.

I have bought and sold a pile of whitewater kayaks in my kayaking career, as whitewater designs have changed and evolved. Sea kayaks stick much more to traditional designs in comparison to whitewater designs. Therefore it’s more important in sea kayaks to think in terms of “build it and keep it”. The best way to build your first boat with confidence is to have paddled it. If paddling a boat is not easily possible (that is true for me) then the next best approach is to build a design that reasonably fits your intended purpose, and learn to adjust your paddling style and cargo load to fit the boat. I plan on packing light when using my Guillemot, and may have to take my Merganser for heavier loads.

Chris