The New Kayak Shop: More Elegant Wooden Kayaks Anyone Can Build

Unlike other boat-building books I have read, this book is not lacking in information. I would recommend this book to ANYONE thinking of building their own kayak.

This is a very good book for anyone thinking of trying to build thier own kayak. This is a plywood and epoxy stitch and glue type building process. I have not actualy started this project yet but the reading was fun and infomative.

I bought this book for the instructions and also for the plans. I am currently 2/3 through the construction of the Chesapeake 16 kayak built only from the plans in this book. The dimensions for the cockpit were missing on the plans as it is full size on the original. They are provided for the WR180 which should work fine, as the "exact" cockpit size is not super critical. I agree with the author that full size plans are best, as they are for most anything that you are going to build yourself. If you are building the Chesapeake 16, it has been my experience that the plans are more than adequate.

I'm planning to build one of Chesapeake Light Craft's Mill Creek kayaks this winter. I've been reading the CLC forums, the many customer web sites and the back issues of Wooden Boat magazine with articles on building CLC boats, but the most helpful read so far has been this book.There is a lot to learn about boat building, from techniques to vocabulary. This book will help you build a knowledge base to take on the project of building your own kayak.Thanks to Chris for this helpful guide!

I wanted to buy a kayak, but when I saw the prices for a light, sea kayak ($2000 and up) I couldnt beleive it. I looked into building your own kayak...found a company called Cheaspeake Light Craft..the kits were cheap...the boats looked great....could I do this having little woodworking experience? Well, with the help of this book, the answer is a resounding yes!!