: I know that typical claims for 17.5' kayak weights are on the order of:

: 36 (CLC) - 40 (Nick) pounds for stitch and glue
: and
: 44 (Nick) pounds for strip

: But what are the REAL weights.

: I built a CLC stitch and glue using CLC plans (no deck fittings,
: no hatches, no bulkheads, etc) and materials and came up
: 4 pounds heavy (scale certified for trade). I then weighed samples of each material
: on a lab scale, computed the weight of the epoxyed wood, and the fiberglass
: (50% cloth / 50% epoxy).

: Results:
: No matter how good one is - it is impossible to build the CLC boat
: (their plans, their materials, their construction methods) to their weight.

: I should note that a plywood thickness variation of .5mm would allow a boat to be
: built to their weight.
:
: I could go to the trouble of computing the weight of strip kayak but I don't even
: know the most important item - the finshed wood thickness (let lone the density of the wood).

: In any case, what is the chance of a first time strip builder producing a boat in the low 40 pound range.
I built a CLC boat (Patuxent 17.5)and also found its finished weight heavier than the specs.I think I used too much epoxy but I found that the rubbing strip was quite heavy (about 3lbs).I used Australian spotted oak,a hardwood.I would appreciate some more discussion on ways to reduce weight.