> I'm hoping to build a boat (or two) in which our two kids, six and nine,
> could paddle by themselves to accompany my wife and me on trips in
> relatively protected water. I'd like the kids' boat(s) to be light,
> stable, and capable of being paddled with a double paddle.

> Who's had actual experience on the water with kids? What sorts of boats
> have worked for you?

> Pygmy's Goldeneye 13 looks like a good bet among the kayaks. CLC's Cape
> Charlie would be a contender, but isn't available as a kit. CLC's
> Sassafras 12' canoe also looks like a possibility.

> There seem to be lots of variations on the Wee Lassie, though it's hard to
> get a clear idea of what each variation represents and why the costs vary
> so widely. Clarkcraft has a Wee Lassie stripper kit which seems to sell
> for under $600 total. Newfound Woodworks' Wee Lassie, by contrast, sells
> for $925 as a standard kit, $1050 as a deluxe. Noah's has three Wees,
> though none are Lassies. All seem to be based on the Wee Lassie design. I
> couldn't find kit prices on their web site.

> I'm particularly interested in anybody's experience with the kit boats.
> I'm thinking I'd like to build from a kit, though I'm open to building a
> stripper from plans.

> I'd love to hear people's experiences. Thanks. Mike

Mike, I built Mac McCarthy's Wee Lassie and it is a great boat for all ages. My wife weighs 120#, I weigh 215# and we both paddle it! The book Featherweight Boatbuilding is all you need. The plans and instructions are in this book for about $20. I bought a router and the bits to make cove and bead. I already had a table saw. In one sat. morn I milled enough strips for 2 boats. The beauty of this design is it is not limited to very small people who will out grow their small kayak. It's small and stores easy and weighs 20#, easy carry for all.

Larry C.