Pygmy boats vs CLC kayaks

[TK1]

Hi,

I'm finalising my choice of kayak for my first project...I enjoy kayaking and it will give me a good intro to full-size boat building before I make a 'real' baot.

I'm going for a stitch & glue kayak first up, and am leaning towards either a Chesapeake Light Craft one like the 17LT (http://www.clcboats.com/boats/chesapeake.php), or a Pygmy Boats Gloden Eye (http://www.pygmyboats.com/mall/gestdspecs.asp).

There's plenty of good info on the CLC boats and some built locally. So to the question...

Has anyone had experience with the Pygmy Boats, or know of them? They have a couple of extra side panels so a more multi-chined hull, giving them a rounder 'bilge' which may be worth the extra building effort.

Conversely, anyone who has built a CLC boat I'd be interested in your experiences too.

Any feedback appreciated.

Thanks,
Darren

[Boatmik]

Howdy,

Both companies are well regarded.

So choose the boat you like.

MIK

[JEM]

Let me throw one more in for consideration, The Freedom

http://www.jemwatercraft.com/proddetail.php?prod=Freedom15-4

http://www.jemwatercraft.com/images/prodimages/Kayak/Freedom/Freedom-450.JPG

[tunahound]

Hi Darren,

I'm currently paddling my second Pygmy boat, a Coho, which performs very well. First open ocean sea trial was a forty kilometer stint from Cronulla to Thiroul. Two to three metre swell blowing whitecaps. Whitecaps actually breaking over the back of the boat at times. Two kilometers or so from shore most of the way. Chased up some flying fish as well! Glorious. The boat handles great, excellent secondary stability. Multi chines are handsome.

[Daddles]

Hi Darren,

I'm currently paddling my second Pygmy boat, a Coho, which performs very well. First open ocean sea trial was a forty kilometer stint from Cronulla to Thiroul. Two to three metre swell blowing whitecaps. Whitecaps actually breaking over the back of the boat at times. Two kilometers or so from shore most of the way. Chased up some flying fish as well! Glorious. The boat handles great, excellent secondary stability. Multi chines are handsome.

Yer nuts :oo:

Richard