pete, thanks for your time and advice. to answer your question about our time constraints, we have until august 1 to complete two boats. that includes basically weekends only for the next month, then i can devote full time to the process. i asked the folks at pygmy what it would take to finish a boat, with full diligence, but allowing for cure times, etc, and they said "3 weeks". if i can get the second one going while i'm finishing the first, all the better. i have the space, and can get the extra clamps if i have to. what are your thougyhts. oh, and the chesapeake 18 should be here to start by next weekend.

thanks again. brandon
: I have to admit that I think it will be tough for her to get all that weight
: up to cruising speed and still have it be easy to paddle for her 130 lb
: self. 120# of gear may be pushing it for her to move I think.

: On another note, you can't get the Tern as a plans only. Its only available
: as a kit. The CLC however can be made via plans or kit. You might want to
: build hers first and then get the plans to do yours if you feel some kit
: building experience may be desirable before attacking a plans-only yak.

: Happy building and chosing, Pete czerpak

: PS. If you want a hardchine greenlander style, check out Shearwater kayaks
: (this is Eric schades company- yes, nicks brother) Merganser 16 or 17 for
: her. My SO is your girlfriends size almost exactly, 5-7 and 135ish, and
: ended up going with the 16.5 ft version and its available as plans. the 17
: may be a better choice given you want a true large expedition boat.

: Interestingly enough, I built a CLC 18 from a kit about a year ago (Im 6-2
: and about 200).

: In terms of kit vs. plans, I think using a kit probably saves about 6-10 hrs
: in cutting and panel layout time. It is cheaper if you find the right
: places to get all the materials but ordering everything takes time also
: plus the wait to get things from the 1000 different companies you ordered
: from.

: How much time are you truely looking at to build? Also, how much time daily
: is available to build?