I can get the woodwork right, but I always seem to get a small area of print through somewhere. This is, I suppose, the result of trying to go too light.

We won't discuss varnish. I always think I will knock it back and give it the final coat later, but then I get some scratches, and my interest has moved on to the next project, and of course I never do.

A bigger issue is that I am never quite satisfied with my deck layout. I relocate my fittings every time, thinking, 'this Time I've got it right,' and then I think of another adjustment that seems obvious, but I never thought of before.

I can't afford to go minimalists on my deck lines, or I will be thrown out of the kayaking association for flouting their rules. A simple thing, like changing over from euro to greenland paddles, can throw out the whole arrangement.

I am still in pursuit of the perfect setup, but my needs develop, or my style of kayaking, or what I want from it, changes, and suddenly the criteria are all different.

I am not complaining though; this quest keeps me interested in the next project.

My biggest problem these days is deciding which boat to take. If I only had one boat it wold not be a problem, but these days an hour of deliberation over a cup of tea is not uncommon. I would hate it if any of my boats were to feel neglected.

Et