I'll apologise right up front: this is about building a great kid, not a great kayak. I HAVE built a beautiful wooden kayak from plans (Seguin, by Rob Bryan),
so I know that wood would be best for what I need. (But I'm going to have to be VERY flexible!) Yesterday, my 8.5 year-old son Calder kayaked for his first time solo. He is REALLY good at it. My family is about to leave Michigan on a cruising trimaran, headed for Florida, the Bahamas, and eventually California. (not to mention bankruptcy) I would LOVE to go through building a boat with him, (Pygmy's Osprey 13 looks about right) but I don't have the time, and once we leave, I won't have anywhere to build, anyway. Seeing his skill and enthusiasm, I've GOT to get him a kayak. I just want to find something small that handles reasonably well. Maybe it'll have to be plastic. Maybe someone out there has a little yak that their kid has outgrown. Cost is a major issue, as we're doing all this on a shoestring. Further off topic: we also need a good tender, ideal would be: light weight, 10', sailing, rowing, motoring, wood. I'm sure compromise will be required. We're leaving for the Erie Canal on about Sept. 1, and expect to spend most of October in the Chesapeake Bay. If anyone has any leads on either of these little boats, we would be eternally grateful! Thanks! Steve PS- here's a link to our webpage, if anyone's curious.