Ken- Glad to hear such positive reports on the Shooting Star. I am in the home stretch on the building of my mine. I have to glass the interior of the hull in the next few days. The deck is complete and glassed and the cockpit rim is in place. My progress has slowed in the last couple of weeks due to workn etc. Looking at the lines of this boat makes me smile. She is a beauty! I have paddled a number of Baidarkas, but never this particular one.I have found them to be a little wet, but a little water being splashed up is not a big deal for me. Kayaking is not a dry sport.

Did you notice how the boat balanced as far as weathercocking? I usually install a retractable skeg in my boats before installing the deck to help with balance and tracking. I am getting lazy on this one and do not plan on installing a skeg unless the boat really needs it. Have you ever paddled a Outer Island? If so, how do you compare the boats traits.

Ken