> Hi, I've been kayaking for a couple of years now, mostly in plastic
> touring boats. I'd like a longer, more performance-oriented boat than what
> I've been paddling (14-15' plastic boats). Fiberglass or composite boats
> are out of my price range, and I'd like something that'll last longer than
> plastic (and that doesn't look like tupperware).

> I've been slobbering over the Pygmy catalog and website, and I think I'd
> like to try my hand at building a wooden boat. They're beautiful, and the
> Pygmy boats seem to get great performance reviews, too. I like to make my
> own stuff (I tie all my own flies, and I've built some flyrods, too), but
> I have very little woodworking experience.

> My primary questions are:

> In addition to something like Pygmy's Full Kit, what other tools and
> supplies do I really need to build a stitch and glue boat from a kit?
> About how much more money over the price of the kit am I likely to have to
> spend?

> How much room do I really need to build a kit kayak? Would a 10X20' room
> give me enough space to build a 17' kayak?

> Is is REALLY as easy as Pygmy and CLC's promotional literature says it is?

> Any other advice would be greatly appreciated as well!

> Thanks,

> Steven Jarvis sjarvis@dicksonstreet.com Fayetteville, Arkansas USA

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Hi Steven,

I built the Pygmy Coho and yes it is almost as easy as they say it is. Some things you will need: Small block plane to bevel 4 edges to about 45 degrees. Pygmy neglects to tell you about this step in the promo materials, but that is the most complex woodworking skill you will need and it is not hard. Good to have (or borrow)a jig saw to cut hatches if you want them. You can do it by hand but it will take a lot longer. Get as many clamps as you can (like 30) . You can get by with 10 but it will take you longer as you can do several clamping steps at once if you have enough. Also the kit comes with only a few Gloves. Go to the drug store and get a box of 100 latex gloves($12). You will use them all before the boat floats. Get lots of mixing cups and stir sticks. Popsicle sticks work well. Also save all your butter dishes etc. for mixing. You will want more of the dental syringes than come with the kit also. You will need at least a dozen of the thin yellow foam roller pads and it is nice to have some cheap foam brushes on hand for application and tipping out bubbles in the epoxy. Running out of any one of these little items can bring your project to a screaching halt and require a trip to the hardware or marine supply store. Oh yeah, have a couple of extra 1/16th inch drill bits on hand. If you do not break one drilling the holes I will buy you a steak dinner! :)

10 X 20 feet is about right if you have figured out how you will get 17 feet of finished Kayak out of the space.

You will not regret doing it. What you have at the end of a very enjoyable project is a lovely and seaworth craft that people will stop you and ask you about when they see it.

Bursting with pride in Seattle

Mike