I was a relatively woodworking rookie (few sets of book shelves and popsicle stick houses in my youth, etc). I decided to go with the CLC Chessapeake 18. I liked the looks a bit better than the Pygmy yaks. The 18 is a bit big for me, inhindsight, a 17 is a better choice for my size - 6-2 and 200 lbs. It is primarily for wkend camping trips on inland waters but I hope to get a sea trip or two out of it. I live in upstate NY by the way.

The deck was less than simple to get bent and attached although I did use the no nails method with ducttape, etc. Also made several newbie mistakes with too much epoxy, etc and plenty of epoxy runs onto the sheer clamps for me to clean up with mucho sanding later before planing them. Deck strength is probably similar with either company although the Pygmy may be stronger behind the cockpit due to its full glassing and CLC no glass on the deck thought. I did put some glass on the inside of my deck there though for cowboy style reentrys.

CLC did a great job answering my questions and also sent a piece of wood overnight for a piece that I cracked at no charge. Boat performs well, very straight tracker. Plenty and I mean plenty of cargo room.

I like the scarfed joints better but don't hate the butt joints used by Pygmy as I'm building another yak, Mersanger 16, for my SO using buttjoints and tape.

Go with the design that seems to perform better at what you want and also like the looks of. Both Pygmy and CLC probably have designs that you will find fit your every desire, for now. Then you'll have to build a boat for parents, wife, kids, etc and get to try them all.

It is too bad that Pygmy doesn't sell plans for all their yaks otherwise I would maybe be building a Tern or Coho rather than what I am doing now. However, the Mersanger is looking good now with all the panels stitched and seams to be glassed later this week.

regards and happy choosing and building, Pete czerpak albany, NY