: Greetings!
: I intend on using shareware plans for my first kayak because I want a more
: memorable challange and I am broke!
: This leaves me w/ two choices the Chesapeake 16 (The New Kayak
: Work Shop) and the 16 Cormorant. Which one will I like best???I am 5'6 and
: 175#
: Chesy- Seems a little bulky and I have heard complaints about
: front deck height. I have a minamalist type attitude. The Chesapeake LT is
: more of what I am looking for but it is not available as shareware. Could
: I chop a few centameters off the sides of the regular chesy and flatten
: out the deck or does the LT have a diff. hull design?
: Cormorant- the low Cp,short water line,and long overhangs make me nervous
: about performance. Will it be as efficient or fast as the Chesy.It does look
: great though.
: Any comments would be valuable. Donated offsets for a light craft around 16'
: with med volume would really make my winter. Thanks
: Mark mdfarina@hotmail.com

Can't help you with the Cormorant - never seen one of those except photos on the web. But I have seen the CLC line up close. The regular Chesy and the LT have very similar hull shapes. Cutting the top forms to lower the deck has been done successfully in the past. Bobby Curtis has done it a few times to the CLC North Bay. He has a website that details the modifications he made. I don't remember the adress, but if you search through the archives, you should be able to find it. Also, Nick has a list of links to builders on the Guillemot web site, and I believe Bobby is on it.

Basically, just trim the tops of the side panels, then install the sheer strips, and carry on. Don't mess with the bottoms of the side panels - it will affect the way they meet the bottom panels. (Bobby details the consequences of this - he decided to lower the deck after installing the sheer strip on his first boat.) Also, the side panels are not vertical, so you are also decreasing the beam of the boat at the sheer. Some simple geometry will give you the "new" beam. That really only matters when you measure and install the deck beams. If you are off a little bit (+/- 1/4") it won't make a difference in the performance of the boat. I would not suggest flattening the deck too much, as it draws its strength from the arc shape. Flattening the fore deck some would be OK, but leave the rear deck alone.

As for which one you would like best, that's a matter of personal preference - especially since you gave no indication of how or where you will use the boat. If you want fast and efficient, it's hard to beat CLC's Patuxent line. The Patuxent 17.5 would fit you very well. Its a great boat once you get past its lack of initial stability - and the Patuxent 18 looks even less stable. Maybe CLC will give you a set of plans for free since the 17.5 has been discontinued. If not, don't worry, the Chesy is still a pretty quick boat.