Chesapeake Light Craft (CLCBoats)

[rlhendren]

Has anybody ever built one of the kayak kits (or any other type boat kit) from Chesapeake Light Craft (CLC Boats)? Just wondering what your thoughts are on the process. They look really beautiful on the website, but I'm sure my non-handy self would be pleased as punch if I could just build one that floats. Any beauty beyond that would be considered a bonus.

Thoughts?

RH

[AWCHIEF]

I have built 5 CLC boats. 2 from kits and 3 from plans. 2 dingys, 2 Kayaks and 1 canoe. Still have the 12 ft canoe and 8 ft dingy that I am currently building a sailing rig for. Considering their teardrop trailer as my next project.

https://www.clcboats.com/teardrop

[rlhendren]

Thanks! So....for someone who isn’t particularly crafty but is good at watching YouTube videos and following instructions, is this a do-able project? How long does it take to build a simple kayak?

And if you build the teardrop, you MUST post pictures!

[AWCHIEF]

Originally Posted by rlhendren

Thanks! So....for someone who isn’t particularly crafty but is good at watching YouTube videos and following instructions, is this a do-able project? How long does it take to build a simple kayak?

And if you build the teardrop, you MUST post pictures!

Starting with a kit basic construction can easily be completed in a week. It is the final finish that can be time consuming. A work boat painted finish can be done in a few days. A show room varnish job can easily stretch into several weeks. It is all about surface preparation and attention to detail. Hundreds of CLC boats have been successfully built by complete novices. Check out their web site and forum, a very nonjudjemental, friendly and helpful group . The kits all come with extremely detailed and professionally produced instruction materials. Some even come with videos of the build. Complete videos are also on their web site and YouTube. They have frequent sales of kits and building supplies. Their phone and email customer service is also second to none. For those in need of help CLC also has classes available at several different locations around the country.
Careful it is an addictive pastime.

[rmkrum]

Yeah, a boat is defined as a hole in the water, lined with wood, metal, or fiberglass into which you throw vast amounts of money. Kinda like an Airstream, huh?

I suspect that’s why they are referred to as “Land Yachts” all too often.

[Smartstream]

I built their Tandem Annapolis Wherry at a "Build a boat in a week class" and it was great. The kits are well engineered and go together nicely. The class builds the boats a little differently than you would in your shop because some tasks have to be completed and epoxy cured to proceed to the next step to stay on schedule. The good is it was great to have an instructor to answer questions, they proved very good power sanders and a bulk epoxy mixing pump that really helped and many extra hands to help with things like 1/2" x 1" x 20' long rails.

As mentioned above we started Monday morning and Saturday noon we took our boats home. Finish sanding, varnish and painting is where the real time is spent.

This is Monday morning, that is 5 boats on the floor.



Here they look like boats. This is gluing those 20' long rails.



Saturday morning showing off our boats.

[AWCHIEF]

Dan, great photos, thanks for posting.
CLC also has a live shop cam that is inspirational to watch.
I am thinking if I build the teardrop I will attend the 2 week class in Annapolis for the help and moral support offered .

[knunut]

Wife built her 16LT.Very good product. She added rub rails and deck lines.Painted hull and deck is natural wood. Look's beautiful. Also added Skeg.She did work .I got coffee and added my advice ? CLC makes great product.

[Overstreet]

I built a Cheasapeak 17. It is a 17ft stitch and glue boat. I got the kit and it sat in the garage. I was building a 13 story building that took up some spare time. One day my lady friend saw this box and said, " What is that?"

The boat was started soon after. The kit comes with the panels already cut out by the CNC machine. It does a straighter line than me. Basically you wire the boat together then epoxy it, sand it, varnish it and rig it. . Very simplified. Get the DVD and use it as a guide. No problem.

Of course as soon as I started the big local project was done and the company sent me out of town. The boat took me 6 to 8 months of weekends. I finished it two days before the wedding where we made our get away in the kayaks.