Chesapeake

Product Description

Train like tracking expedition kayaks which will carry a large load.

The plans are as good as anything I have seen since doing technical drawing at school, and the really excellent manual seems to have been written by someone who knows what they are doing and enjoys doing it.

W.C.

The Chesapeake Kayaks are expedition touring boats that excel in rough water and steep seas. With their high volume bows they cruise over big waves. Their radically cambered foredecks shed water quickly and provide plenty of foot room on those 35 mile days. The stern design assures train-like tracking and minimal weathercocking, even in fierce crosswinds. The hard-chine hull is strongly influenced by West Greenland designs. It is easy to lean and turn, handles following seas with ease, and surfs beautifully. The long waterline and moderate rocker assure plenty of speed.

The hull is shrouded in cloth set in epoxy for abrasion resistance. This coating is transparent and will allow the owner to leave the wood grain showing for a beautiful finish which is virtually maintenance free.

More than 7,000 Chesapeake series kits have been shipped over the last 10 years. An enduring favourite among paddlers, the Chesapeakes are the gold standard for build-it-yourself sea kayaks. They are easy to build but handsome and fast. High-volume bows lift you over rough seas, or powerboat wakes, while the skeg-like stern prevents weather-cocking in blustery winds.

Epoxy end pours at the bow and stern simplify construction and provide extra impact strength. The outside of the hull is shrouded in fabric set in epoxy for abrasion resistance.

The high volume hull swallows up expedition size loads. The 18 is a substantial boat which will comfortably carry substantial people over long distances: 6′ 5″, 19 stone paddlers with gear (max 159 kg). The 17 has a maximum load of 345 lbs (154 kg) and the 16LT has a maximum load of 220 lbs (98 kg).

Chesapeake 14

The Chesapeake 14 is small but capable. The 14 features excellent tracking, sweet handling, good stability, and easy construction. She is ideal for the smaller adult and children.

Chesapeake 16LT

Sweet handling stable kayak with a comfortable cockpit for smaller people.

Chesapeake 17LT

The Light Touring kayak is designed for day paddling and occasional weekend trips. It has the same proven hard chine hull design as the Chesapeake but is lower and has flatter aft decks. This reduces volume and windage and makes them a little lighter. Shorter paddlers and Inuit-style paddlers prefer the lower deck since it allows a lower paddle position.

Chesapeake 17

The quintessial high-volume touring kayak.

Chesapeake 18

A big but fast and capable load carrier.

The kit includes:

Pre-cut wooden panels with pre-cut joints
Pre-cut solid wood components with pre-cut joints
Epoxy resin
Epoxy activator
Epoxy fillers
Woven glass fabric
Woven glass tape
Ties
Luxury moulded foam tractor seat
Padded foam back band
Deck Rigging
Adjustable Footbraces
Comprehensive building manual and plans
Free technical support from a competent builder

What is in a boat kit.

Plans and Manual (Not required by kit purchasers)

These plans and manual contain sufficient information on the cutting of the panels to make it possible to build the boat from scratch rather than a kit. This is an easy boat to build from the plans.

These are included in the kit. If, later, you decide to purchase the kit the cost of these will be deducted from the kit price.

Plywood

This option contains only the plywood components pre-cut to the correct size with pre-cut joints plus the plans and manual.

Wood

This option contains the cut to size solid wood with pre-cut joints. It does not contain the plans or manual, any of the epoxy to glue and coat the boat, the fabric or tape nor any of the hardware or rigging.