Hi
I am nearing completion (after nearly six years!) of a strip built Resolute kayak from Ted Moores book Kayakcraft. It is my third boat, but first strip built. My previous builds are a Chesapeake 17 and a Millcreek 16.5. I fancied trying a strip built boat, and already had Ted's book, so decided to build the Resolute. The project stalled a couple of years ago, and I would really like to finish it and get paddling!

I have installed a recessed keyhole cockpit as described in Nicks book 'The Strip built kayak' because I thought it would look cool - and it does. I then realised that compared to my Chesapeake 17 (that only took 3 months to build!) there is far less knee height under the deck and much less leg room overall. I am not a large person at around 165lbs and 5' 9" but fancied the shorter length and extra stability of the Resolute from the designs in the book. I didn't really think about deck height when I started the build, only after I'd installed the recessed cockpit and tried it for fit, I found that I could hardly raise my knees up at all - compared to the roomy cockpit of the Chesapeake. I have 10 1/4" under the front of the cockpit coaming, and about 8 1/2" to the sides at the knee brace position - peak of deck forward of coaming is around 11 1/2".

I haven't installed the deck as yet and my question is, should I carry on and finish the build hoping that it all works out fine when I'm actually paddling the boat for any length of time, or cut out the recess and try to reinstate the original profile of the deck while it's all still easily accessible? My guess is that this will probably gain me at least an extra inch or so in height. I only have experience of paddling the Chesapeake and Mill Creek 16.5, which of course has an open cockpit, so not sure how this will work for me. Is the Chesapeake cockpit abnormally large, and the Resolute a bit tight, even before my changes to the original design? I understood the Resolute design was intended for the larger paddler anyway - my UK size 8 feet don't get a lot of clearance! I really don't want to go to all the trouble of redoing the cockpit at this stage, but it would be easier now than after it's all finished if you guys think I might regret it in any way. I have to say that I did see somewhere that another Resolute builder had similarly installed a recessed cockpit, but made no mention of any worries about coaming height and subsequent restricted movement. I have heard that you are supposed to 'wear' a kayak, so presumably it's better to have a snug cockpit! So here's hoping all you experienced builders and paddlers can help me make a decision one way or the other and get this stalled project finally finished and on the water!

Thanks, Phil