: I have decided to build a kayak for my 10-year-old this winter. He has
: paddled a plastic kayak for three years (Perception Acadia Scout).

: He is ready for something better. I see that CLC and Pygmy have smaller
: kayaks.
: Any thoughts or opinions would be appreciated.

I was thinking the Pygmy Tern 14 might work. Although it was originally designed for a full-size adult and a Tsunami Ranger to boot, it seems to be adaptable to all kinds of paddlers. I think my son was about the size of yours when we did his. Launched in 2000, when he was 10, and still going strong now that he's all grown up at 18. You could ballast it, too. I saw Joe Greenley in 2004, and he said he was designing hybrid versions for Pygmy. Don't know what became of that, but any Pygmy with a strip deck w/b a sweet boat.

My 2c.

--Scott