Thanks, Jim: very good information. This is pretty much the gist of what I've been able to glean on the boat. My thoughts ran to surfing, for sure, but also rock gardening. I'm getting ready for the annual Mendocino trip with BASK, and a lot of the folks bring along a short boat for doing pour-overs and banging around in caves and such. Is the design hopeless as a general purpose short boat? Just for surf? Or does it have a bit of "generalist" in it? Thanks again.

--Scott

: I built one in five days minus finish sanding and paint. Be patient
: with the nose. Two of the five days spent building were
: concentrated on the nose. It doesnt want to stay where its
: supposed to and would like to twist a bit. Its very doable. Just
: be patient.

: I placed a cedar block in the nose and thickened the end pour with
: lots and lots milled fiber. The tail, probably the most
: interesting part of the boat, received that same treatment minus
: the block of cedar. The boat will take a lot of abuse until you
: become skilled at surfing so beef it at the ends a bit but keep
: things light too. The boat surfs well without fins so unless you
: really have a hankering to add them just get it on the water.

: The concave portion of the forward hull keeps you locked on the
: wave in a sense. It fades flat to the stern. I have no idea how
: Nick engineered this shape into the design. Its very important
: yet it just happens like magic as you stitch the parts together.
: I will gush for just a moment and call this nothing short of
: genius.

: Like all short surf kayaks in short period conditions (waves close
: together) it takes some persistence to get outside but its worth
: it. The boat carves well and turns easily. It almost feels as if
: you have small fins. Its a nice design that is a good entry
: point into an activity that is very addictive.

: Dont be afraid to paint this surf boat. Surfers are a colorful lot
: and demand attention. My deck is turquoise and the hull bright
: varnish. Its a good visual fit. The secretaries and librarians
: on vacation will be drawn to the boat. Its as good as a Harley
: in that way. Be prepared.