Thanks Tom,

yes, I do love my Sonnet :-) It came out a little bit heavier compared to yours but is still light enough (almost 14 kg = 30 lbs). The higher weight results from the 3-piece hull (680 g/m2 = 20 oz/yd2), the doubled skin at the stems, maybe too much glue, and 18 x 1.5 mm aluminium tubes (22 x 2.0 mm for the two middle tubes of the keelson). I posted some comments on the Sonnet's performance at the link below.

Best wishes

Thomas

: 30 lbs for a 17.5' Baidarka with 6 chines, and a more complex bow and stern,
: is quite light. Mine weighs 32 lbs and was build to the design specs. My
: wood frame Sea Rider (Greenland) is about 24 lbs due to single chines and
: simpler stems.

: If you want lighter still, build a Sonnet 16. Mine tops out at 19lbs and if I
: used wood vs aluminum stringers it would be even lighter.

: The Sonnet also has the added advantage of fitting in a bag for travel to any
: paddling destination on the planet. Below is a link to the lovely Sonnet
: built
: by Thomas Ziegler of Germany. He can attest to it's performance.

: Tom