It has taken 14 months to build Kaikawaka. The only task not achieved at home was the final coat of two part poly, completed by a handy car painter in a high tech down draft spray booth. Thank you all who post so generously on Nick's site. You have been a great source of assistance and reassurance to me.Yhe build has been a great learning experience and will be repeated with greater confidence and speed in the not too distant future. The idea of always having to find a front paddler is not tenable. Kaikawaka weighs in at 30kg. She had a couple of hours out on our local estuary and shows great promise. Hardly a sea trial, but a great taste of paddling adventures to come. Visit Tony's site and you will see the launch was a good excuse for gathering family and friends.