A month ot two ago, you may recall that I frantically posted a question looking for suggestions for boat designs for my 13 year old daughter who suddenly took an interest in kayaking. In addition to the boat suggestions, there was also a general feeling that I should strike while the iron was hot. I'm very proud of the way she's handled the situation since then, and wnated to share some results with you.

We haven't started yet. I was going to, but she said the dry dock wasn't large enough for two projects, she didn't want to see me lay my OI aside to help her, and she wouldn't have the time over the summer anyway, so she asked that I not do anything about her boat until late Fall. She said she'd paddle one of my store bought boats until next year. That shocked me, coming from a 13 almost 14 year old.

She also said that when the time came, she wanted me to guide her through the process rather than using her as "just a helper" but since she has no boat or wood experience, I'd have to first show her, then guide her, then just monitor her, and when we came to tricky parts, that I could do it myself if I was concerned about her doing it. Again, I thought that was very mature, but assured her that nothing was so tricky that she couldn't handle it if she was simply attentive and patient.

Next came boat selection. She's leaning towards the Spring Run by Redfish. She's a rookie paddler, so knew she couldn't handle an advanced boat, but didn't want to build a boat that she'd grow out of too soon either. She felt like the specs for the Spring Run would give her enough of a challenge for the first couple years of paddling, but is also such that a paddler of many, many years would find it a very good boat. Hmmmm, she's using logic and thinking ahead - how 'bout that!

Regarding the artistic elements of the boat, she's going with a light (cypress) deck, a stripe or two along the sheer, and probably a darker hull. She understnads that a darker hull will show scratches better, and her reply to me was "Dad, I'm going to paddle it, not display it" - WOW!!!!

For artistic value, she also wants to strip a dragon into the deck using dark colors. Hmmmmm - sounds cool. Can I... ah, I mean "she" do it? We'll certainly give it a shot, if that's what she wants. My very artistic sister is working on a number of sample drawings for us to pick from.

I mentioned to her that with her athletics and schoolwork, she'd be pressed for time during the week to work on it. Her reply was that she could gain some time by staying off the phone and cutting out TV time. - DOUBLE WOW!!!! But now, I'm getting both concerened and a little scared (who kidnapped my real daughter???)

So, this will be her project, done her way, using her timing. To tie it to recent threads, I've taken an interest in the strongback on wheels concept. If we can push the strongbacks around the drydock a bit, I can work on mine and she can work on hers, as long as we're not both on the exact same step and needing the same tools. But, if we are, it'll just be another excuse to go buy more!!!!

Anyway, I just wanted to share since I got so many great responses to the original post. And the original posts also convinced me that I need to build a SOF sometime soon as well!

Thanks, all.

Rick

PS - My almost 12 year old opted to just by Perceptions Umiak, then inherit one of my boats after I've built a few. Hmmmm - that's pretty smart too, I think.