> My question was, if you purchase a kit, isn't there an expectation that they > are going to say "Build it this way". With the implication that this is
> appropriate quality of construction?

For some of us first-time builders with limited time, talent and tools, kits are really the best way to go. Was for me. Actually, the instructions with CLC kits are probably their weakest point; they give some guidance, but they certainly don't overpower the builder with data. The standard method for North Bay construction is to glass the hull but not necessarily the deck.

I was concerned about the potential for deck cracking, and built a good deal more structure into my back deck. The boat took a ten foot drop from the garage ceiling last month, made a slight gouge in the concrete and left some fresh white paint, but there was no damage to the boat other than some cosmetic stuff. My first "door ding". I'm not sure that glassing the deck would have made a lot of difference, and the structure may not have either, but that's one tough boat!

Jack Martin