Well Kurt,
Sounds like you had the best Christmas! I am glad to see I am not the only one with your problem. I went into a marine supply store in Cape Cod this summer for something else and walked out with a 12 foot Wilderness Systems plastic boat. It works great for the bird photography it was intended; big cockpit and stable. I bought the zipper skirt and a waterproof bag for the Cannon and I was in.... well so I thought! Then I started to paddle.... and paddle... and paddle.. and paddle. I have been boating for years but never have had so much fun. It is amazing how the birds and animals tolorate you gliding by. Of course up here on the central Connecticut shoreline the Goldfinchs left months ago in thier olive brown coats towards you to make way for the Juncos at the feeders and the Double Crested Cormarants have left there roosts to the Great Cormarants on the coast. The Osprey had a very good breeding season up here so keep an eye on the juviniles for us!
Then the problems began; Wow, if I paddled fifteen nautical miles in the twelve foot recreational boat what could I have seen if I was cruising along in an eighteen foot "real" sea kayak? To make it worst I own a custom woodworking shop, and live five miles from Long Island Sound, and have some of the best kayak designers and a plethora of boating supply houses within driving distance.
I solved the problem. A phone call to Nick and another to the lumber supplier for some cedar. Result the Night Heron is almost ready for epoxy. I can't wait to throw the drysuit on and go play.
The moral of the story is do not run out of wood, you always will have something to do. My only problem now is finding time to sharpen my skis.
Life is great.
Enjoy,
Timothy