: Hi everybody, new to the forums and to Kayaking, been reading here
: for a while now. Tonight I took the family out for a paddle with
: a local tour company, I think it is safe to say we are all
: hooked and I have been itching to build a strip build for a
: while now. So I think it is now going to happen. So we live in
: Nova Scotia and close to a lake so we will be doing some Lake
: day trips, but also some ocean day trips. My son and I will most
: likely be doing some camping trips so I need some room for gear.
: He paddled for a summer at a rowing club but didn't want to do
: it competitively, the rest of us this was our first time in
: kayaks but we loved it so that is the back ground.

: Anyway, what I need some advice on is the kayaks to build, yea I
: will most likely be building more then one anyway. I am
: 6'1" about 230 and my oldest son is about the same size.
: For us I was think about the Night Heron high deck, from the
: description I figured that would be the best ones since he has
: size 11 feet and with our size. For my wife, I am not sure which
: one I should look at building, the Great Auk or the Guillemot.
: She is about 5'8" but not a strong paddler, yet, so which
: should I look at doing for her?

: So you can see I have my winter full now building at least two
: boats, may be 3 but we shall see what the first two turn out
: like. I was also thinking about the Guillemot Double but we
: shall see.

: Cheers!!

: Pat

Pat,

Although I am a fan of Nick's designs (my primary kayak is a Night Heron), for your wife, I would look at some other designer's kayaks too. A good example would be the Redfish Silver. It has a fast efficient hull, with beautiful lines. Because of it's efficiency, it is a great kayak to assist a "less strong" paddler in keeping up with stronger paddlers.

I would also paddle a double with your wife, or whoever you plan to paddle it with. Some people love 'em others hate 'em. There is a reason that they are nicknamed divorce boats. ;) That being said, they are a great option for some couples, just test the waters, before you build.

I would also look at skin-on-frame, and stitch & glue designs too, but that is me, I enjoy building, but also paddling, and those types of construction get me to the water faster, still in my own hand-crafted kayak.

Whatever you do, have fun building and paddling!

Mike