I'm considering building a tandem stitch and glue kayak from a kit. I'm
an experienced woodworker, but never built a boat of any kind. So far
I'm trying to decide between Pygmy, CLC and Folland. Can anyone give me
comments on the differences that might help me make a choice?

Thanks
Art

"Art" wrote...
I'm considering building a tandem stitch and glue kayak from a kit. I'm
an experienced woodworker, but never built a boat of any kind. So far
I'm trying to decide between Pygmy, CLC and Folland. Can anyone give me
comments on the differences that might help me make a choice?

Both Pygmy and CLC have their followers; I am unfamiliar with Folland.

I chose Pygmy (Coho) mainly because I live in Seattle, near their shop. I was
able to paddle several candidate kayaks and choose the one that felt best before
buying. I was totally inexperienced at woodworking (other than a bookshelf or
2) when I built mine (http://www.tsca.net/puget/coho1.htm).

Biggest differences in the 2 companies' approaches appear to be the decks (Pygmy
multi-section; CLC arched) and the hull-to-deck joint. Other than that, I think
it is purely a personal decision. Both apparently offer great instruction
manuals and after-sale support.

On Tue, 23 Mar 2004 00:43:04 GMT, Art
wrote:

I'm considering building a tandem stitch and glue kayak from a kit. I'm
an experienced woodworker, but never built a boat of any kind. So far
I'm trying to decide between Pygmy, CLC and Folland. Can anyone give me
comments on the differences that might help me make a choice?

The group rec.boats.building would be an excellent way to contact
people who have built the exact ones you are looking for.

Happy trails,
Gary (net.yogi.bear)
------------------------------------------------
at the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence

Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA
Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom

Art wrote:
I'm considering building a tandem stitch and glue kayak from a kit. I'm
an experienced woodworker, but never built a boat of any kind. So far
I'm trying to decide between Pygmy, CLC and Folland. Can anyone give me
comments on the differences that might help me make a choice?

I suggest that you look at the kits that Newfound Woodworks offers, too
(www.newfound.com). Their "puzzle lock" joints elminate misalignment and
the designs they offer are better performers than Pygmy, Folland and
most of the CLC, boats (Arcti Hawk excluded).

"John R Weiss" wrote in
news:v5M7c.60832$JL2.780960@attbi_s03:

"Art" wrote...
I'm considering building a tandem stitch and glue kayak from a kit.
I'm an experienced woodworker, but never built a boat of any kind. So
far I'm trying to decide between Pygmy, CLC and Folland. Can anyone
give me comments on the differences that might help me make a choice?

Both Pygmy and CLC have their followers; I am unfamiliar with Folland.

I chose Pygmy (Coho) mainly because I live in Seattle, near their shop.
I was able to paddle several candidate kayaks and choose the one that
felt best before buying. I was totally inexperienced at woodworking
(other than a bookshelf or 2) when I built mine
(http://www.tsca.net/puget/coho1.htm).

Biggest differences in the 2 companies' approaches appear to be the
decks (Pygmy multi-section; CLC arched) and the hull-to-deck joint.
Other than that, I think it is purely a personal decision. Both
apparently offer great instruction manuals and after-sale support.

Also worth noting is that the kits from both companies can be built by
people with no prior woodworking experience and produce a beautiful
seaworthy kayak.