Building Stitch & Glue Sea Kayaks... An Idea Takes Hold

Basement Workshop - 16' long workbench on sawhorses

I am not sure when the idea first occurred to me to build a pair of sea kayaks, but it took hold almost immediately and I needed to do very little convincing to talk myself into it. I've been paddling kayaks since my early 20's, ( at least 25 years) mostly river kayaks, always plastic, but the fiberglass and composite sea touring kayaks have always attracted me.

Recently my wife, Maria, and I have taken to paddling in the coves and open stretches of Barnegat Bay, we quickly realized that the sit on tops and river kayaks we were using were not up to the task. The short river boats were pushed around by the wind and waves, too much energy was wasted trying to get them to track. The sit on top kayaks were bulky and sluggish, and energy was wasted keeping them moving at anything resembling a decent speed. .

I originally considered purchasing used plastic touring kayaks, and while searching online for touring boats I found a reference to a book, The New Kayak Shop, by Chris Kulczycki, the book led me to the Chesapeake Light Craft website, and I realized for what I was willing to spend on a plastic boat I could build a lighter, sleeker, and more attractive boat. Of course I would need to build two boats, but there would be economies of scale building two boats at one time. With a full basement as my workshop I could fit both projects in side by side, like I mentioned earlier very little convincing was required.

CLC (Chesapeake Light Craft), gives builders the option of buying any of their large selection of boats as a complete kit, or just purchasing the plans. The kit will include all the materials, cut to shape on a CNC machine as well as all the supplies necessary to build the complete boat. Builders who opt for the plans only can find a list of materials and supplies necessary to complete the project on their webpage. All of which can be purchased from CLC, or sourced from other vendors. I will point out that on almost all the materials and supplies CLC's pricing was very competitive. As a "plans builder" savings were available by purchasing some materials locally and  avoiding paying freight, but many of my supplies were purchased from CLC in a large enough order to net free shipping. My decision to purchase plans was more a desire to spread the cost of the build out over time, than to save any money.