I had a chance to paddle Mike's Arctic Tern at Port Townsend, after having only paddled my Cape Charles. We had a good discussion comparing the two boats. I think that the CLC might be a better boat for a beginner, having a little more secondary stability and a much sharper stability curve. It is hard to dump, but once beyond a certain point it dumps quickly. The Arctic Tern is a smoother transition from primary to secondary, and I think might be a little better boat for the intermediate / advanced paddler. Mikes boat weighs less than mine and he commented on the difference in acceleration. Once up to speed I dont think that matters. My boat tends to stick its nose into the waves, I understand the Chesapeke design has corrected this. With a good hatch cover it rides up and doesn't let waves to the cockpit. A bad hatch, however, is an irritant that splashes you in the face. I'd strongly suggest fitting the CLC with a flush hatch. The Arctic Tern has quite a high profile and is a drier ride, no wash over the deck. Mike's boat, with its extra panel at the sheer, does not tend to bang the paddle on the sheer. I think that's the difference in stability, the CLC has a little more beam right at its sheer. Both are very good boats. Mikes is from a kit and mine from plans, and I think the kit boats go together a little better. With your woodworking experience that is not an issue. It was my first stitch-n-glue. Also, my boat gets it's stern pushed around in the rough. IMO, it needs a rudder and I use the rudder quite a bit in crosswinds and waves. With the rudder, surfing the waves is really fun! The CLC will pick up and go, compared to the other boats I paddled. I didnt get the Pygmy out in the rough, but am told it does not share this characteristic. I liked the Pygmy a lot. But keep in mind that I have only paddled it once, compared to at least a hundred hours on the CLC, so I have a much sharper image of my boat's faults than I do of Mike's. My priority at the show was to choose a strip boat so I concentrated more on those. Kind of a rambling response, my longest post. A fair comparison Mike?

> Mike, I already know what you think. :) [feel free to chime in, though.]
> and, by the way, a friend had your experience... built a boat, his wife
> took it out for half an hour, and said "so when are you building
> yours"?

> I'm a novice paddler but no slouch at woodworking.