: The Night Heron is definitely sexy. I paddled the High Deck version
: yesterday. I can tell you two things you will love about the it
: beyond the looks. It accelerates instantly and it turns on a
: dime. I am still considering building one and adding a
: retractable skeg for when I want it to track.

: How far along are you in your build?

The hull is done... it's hanging up under my basement ceiling... waiting on the deck.... I considered a skeg, but the one on my Manitou 14 really slows the boat down when it's deployed (though it does help tremendously with weathercocking in crosswinds). So I opted for the short rear keel instead. It should enhance the tracking without the efficiency sacrifice. So far, I've stripped the deck, built the coaming recess, and glassed the outside. Then I cut out the cockpit opening, and built the coaming vertical. Now I'm working on the coaming lip... I hope to get it wet this summer.... I've also built a dihedral-type Euro paddle to go with it ("fun with spokeshaves")... and the urge to build a Greenland paddle too is nearly overwhelming.