Boat Building Forum

Find advice on all aspects of building your own kayak, canoe or any lightweight boats

Dentist from Holderness, New Hampshire, USA. Reformed rowing shell, and furniture builder. Also enjoy hiking, snowshoeing, sailing and cycling.

I bought some plans for a rowing shell about 16 years ago. It is a cold molded construction that took about 15 years to complete. When I finally got it out on the water I hated it. Who in their right mind travels around backwards?

In the summer of 2011 I bought a carbon fiber kayak on Craigslist and really enjoy it. But I am a guy that likes a wooden boat. I bought the plans for a Hybrid Night Heron High Deck. After some study I decided I liked the Guillemot L more and bought the plans for that. I finished the Guillemot in April 2012, but needed to retrofit a skeg which took about a month. I also bought the plans for Rob Macks' Baidarka: North Star. Looks like I have enough to keep me off the streets at night for while.

Just completed a Wee Lassie I for a friend in early October 2012. Just started a Wee Lassie II as soon as the WLI was out the door. This should take about 3 months, the North Star is next. This is habit forming.

It is almost Thanksgiving 2013 and I have finished the Wee Lassie II, and the North Star, finished in September 2013, had a few camping trips this past fall. I am working on a Great Auk to race in the Blackburn Challenge.

jmmdds at jee male daht cahm (like in Bahston)