Hi Dan, If you want a novice Pymgmy builder's perspective read on:

I built a Pygmy Coho and had a great time doing it. I found it quite manageable a project. The kit they provided made it fairly easy even for my first boat project. I was glad I went with the kit because I finished a lot faster than a friend who went with plans and raw materials. About half way through the project I found myself anxious to get the boat in the water.

My finished boat weighs in at 38 pounds and screams across the water (compared to boats I had rented in the past) I got so hooked on having the project to work on that I decided to go get another Pygmy kit. I went out to Port Townsend where the Pygmy shop is located and paddled some of their other models. I decided on the Artic Tern because it is more maneuverable than the Coho and more playful in the waves. It really responds to a leaned turn and I find it easier to do a flat turn also.

If length is a concern I saw the 14 foot version of the Artic Tern that Pygmy just came out with. Looks like fun but you lose a lot of volume. Not sure I could fit into it comfortably.

You may want to check out the Pygmy web site. They have some good technical information in there if you dig for it. It allows you to compare each of their designes as to speed, stability, turning radius etc.

Good luck with your decision. >

Mike ____________________________________________________________________ I'm considering building a stitch and glue boat. This would be the first
> boat I've built, so I'm looking to do it from a kit. I'd like something
> that's lighter and more maneuverable than my current boat, which is a
> plastic Perception Eclipse. I'm not afraid of building a boat that will
> take some effort to grow into, if the performance justifies it.

> I've read lots of positive reviews of Pygmy's Arctic Tern, but at 23"
> it seems a bit beamy.

> The CLC North Bay looks like an interesting boat, but at 18.5' long, I'm
> not sure how maneuverable it would be (and it would be a tight fit in my
> garage).

> Does anyone have any experience with or recommendations of either of these
> boats, for performance and ease of building?

> Thanks in advance, Dan