Blog 2

I shared my idea of building the Chesapeake 17 with my friend, Roger Grimes.  Roger and I had been friends since high school and I knew his parents.  He informed me that his father had built another Chesapeake Light Craft kayak model called the Cape Charles.  The Chesapeake 17 was a newer design and replaced the Cape Charles model of kayak.  Unknown to me the designer and owner of Chesapeake Light Craft had published a popular book called ‘The Kayak Shop’ with the plans and off-sets for the Cape Charles within.  Richard was very clever with his hands and managed to build this boat out of directions from the book: it is a much easier task with full-size plans and building directions within the purchased plans.  His boat was very attractive and completely clear finished (clear varnish so that the wood grain shows through).  Richard and some people he met along the way were to become my first paddling companions.   Richard lent me the book.  This book had the plans for three kayaks in it and I had grandiose ideas that I would build one of the other kayaks from this book.  So when it came to buying the ply for the boat I bought enough to build two boats, but more about a second building project later.  Richard also lent me about 22 clamps that were necessary to build the kayak – as the builders of these boats say: you can never have enough clamps.