: So, I've promised my daughter that we'll build her a kayak for her
: birthday - actually I'm hoping it'll be before then, while it's
: still summer here. She came out paddling with Dad and I and fell
: asleep on the paddle home sitting in my aft hatch. I've been
: hearing about 'when we went in the kayak' ever since. I'm more
: than happy to encourage that!

: She'll only be three, so it's more a case of messing about in boats
: than actually trying to go anywhere under her own power.

: Is there any good reason to build a long slender Yost seaflea style
: boat as opposed to a shorter wider hull with greater initial
: stability for this application? I'm thinking scaled down
: recovery style with a very flat v. Almost like a whitewater
: boat.

: She's 15kg (30lb ish?)

: Any thoughts?
: Simeon.

Go with a skinny kayak with outriggers as it will be much more efficient, and they will be able to paddle it. If the kayak is too wide they will not be able to easily reach the paddle over the edge to paddle it. About 8' x 18" or 19" would be a good size for her. A little big, but able to use it for a few years. Ours needed bigger kayaks at ages 6 & 7.

Soon they will develop their skills, and things will come much quicker to them, than it does with adults.