Ryan,

I've paddled the Redfish Return a few times and think it is a great kayak. It has a nice high top speed yet is easy to paddle at lower, recreational cruising speeds. It tracks very straight, but is plenty manueverable when up on edge. It is also a very nice looking design. It is one of my favorite round chine designs. I haven't had one out in rough water yet, but I do enjoy the almost effortless paddling and high top speed. For what it is worth, I paddle a Pygmy Arctic Tern most of the time. I like a good hard chine for most paddling, but the Return is awfully tempting. I think it would be a good day tripping of light camping kayak for you.

I have both "The Strip Built Sea Kayak" by Nick Schade and "Kayakcraft" by Ted Moores. Both are good booksfor strip building, but I think I like Nick's book a little more.

I am building a Redfish Spring Run for my wife.

Mike

: I'm just finishing a pigmy goldeneye hi that was built for camping trips.
: Lots of space but pretty heavy. I think I over built a little. I now want
: to try a strip boat built for day trips, from medium sized lakes to lake
: superior. Something faster and more fun than my stitch and glue. I'm
: 6'4", 210lbs and would probably be considered a beginner, but I want
: a boat to grow in to, not out of. That would be skill wise not poundage.
: The redfish return caught my eye as something that might work. Any
: opinions on this as well as any others that fit the bill? Also, what book
: would be considered mandatory reading before jumping into a strip boat
: project. Thanks for your time. Ryan Olson