"Hey". Those who have or have had 13 year old daughters (or where one) know from where I'm speaking when I say this.... my relationship with mine is tenuous. For no apparent reason other than I'm male, a dad, and "old" (a whooping 41 - how can I even stand up without help!)

But, a major breakthrough has occured. She's been watching me paddle for three years (but never accepted offers to come along) and has been watching me build my Outer Island over the winter (2 strips and I'm finished stripping the deck).

She blindsided me last night when she came out into the garage and sat down on the steps. I could tell she wanted something, but was hesitant to ask, so I made polite conversation and gave her some space and time. Then out it came... "Dad - do you think that maybe we can build a boat together, for me, when your done with yours." I thought I'd died and gone to heaven!

So, I could do all the research myself (with her, of course) but in the interest of striking while the iron is hot, I was hoping that I could get a quick jump start by asking you folks for a list of boat designs that I should check out.

Here's her specs; She's 13, paddled a Perception Keowee twice in basically a "pond" setting and paddled my canoe a few times in very small lakes, otherwise has no paddling skills or experience. She's age 13, 5'8" tall and 135 pounds and is still growing. She's physically active - plays high school baskeball and softball as an 8th grader, plus other AAU and Rec. League sports. I'm on the Cheseapeake Bay, but have a good amount of fairly protected, shallow water that I'll start her off on. I'm paranoid of getting her into trouble, so I want to start her off in a boat with good overall stability. She either needs real good tracking or a rudder, since her steering skills don't yet exist. The boat needs to be an easy design to build - she has no woodworking experience, and if it's difficult or time consuming, it may not hold her interest. But, she's not overly interested in a S&G boat - although I may be able to talk her into one.

I showed her a picture and the drawing of Nick's Great Auk in his book, which seems to fit the bill fairly well, and can be shortened (she's a bit intimidated by my OI at 17'10" and mentioned a boat around 14'). The straight lines would seem easy and fast to build (in comparison to other boats), but in her mind, she wanted something a bit less "straight".... she's 13 and wants it all... a curvy boat that's easy and fast to build, but not a S&G, plus very "playfull" but won't tip over.... go figure.

So, from your experience, which boat designs should I take her to during a net search we'll do in the next couple days?

Thanks a bunch for this "jump start", folks. Once I can turn "a" boat into an actual name and design, and she can pin-up pictures onto her wall or bulletin board, I'll be less concerned about her losing interest.

Rick