17.5 foot, Guillemot,  wood strip, sea kayak,  built from plans, flush hatches,

Description

You are considering a 2010, plans built, nearly 18 foot long,,, Guillemot Kayak designed by Nick Schade.   The information I got to build this kayak came from Nick's book The strip built sea kayak.  I then had the faith in 2009 in my wood working skills to take on the project.  I feel the results were way better than just satisfactory.  I started this project because of the down turn in the economy in 2008, and the death of some young Aunts and Uncles.  I realized putting things off to a later date doesn't get them done.  So using what I had, and looking for contrast. I used redwood, Alaskan white cedar, and western red cedar, to make this boat.  The color pattern is simple yet fun ... the red stripes sometimes go yellow, to some a "flaw" to me an identifier if stolen.  The cockpit combing is a chevron of redwood to match the hull. The seat is a happy bottom seat that I permanmently glued in place.  I need to install the back band and the adjustable foot rests.  I and my family are very tall so our feet rest on the  front bulkhead.
The kayak is easy to paddle.  If you stop paddling it glides a long way.
The kayak is reasonably fast.  It easily walks away from other paddled recreational boats ... but it has not been formally raced.
This kayak is very stable.  The kids ( Scout Troops ) fight over this boat and having a turn as it feels very "safe" but is faster than any other boat is the fleet of boats available to the group, be it plastic, aluminum, or inflatable.
This kayak is very quiet.   It doesn't squeak, thump, groan, or crumple, like the plastic boats... so if you go out for a sunrise paddle... You can and may see tons of wildlife.  Just hold still and QUIETLY glide by... The animals like checking you out.
This kayak is light and easy to car or truck top for highway transport.
This kayak has 2 waterproof bulkheads made of gorgeous red cedar.  empty this makes for a very light unsinkable fun boat.  loaded this will carry all the camping gear for a month of exploration paddling in dry compartments.
This Kayak is rated to carry 150-220 pounds of people and gear... I weigh 240 and it floats but it is not nimble.
This kayak has a very tight 19 x 29 inch cockpit opening.  So it is not easy to get in or out of. The new owner will want to know how to roll this boat, or be comfortable in his or her kayak rolling skills.  The guillemot kayak is made for a size 10 mens shoe size.   plus if a spray skirt is wanted it would have to be custom sewn.  I've never had a spray skirt for this kayak.
This kayak has always been stored in my wood shop.  Over the last 8 years... It has been out on the water less than 12 times.
Over all I feel this boat is in excellent condition for it's age. When the bottom has been given a scratch I've taken a few minutes to sand it out and re spar varnish the bottom  it just takes an hour.  Do that with a plastic or carbon boat.  The top was freshened with a few minutes of hand sanding with 1200 grit sand paper. and one coat of uv ray blocking spar varnish in 2016.
My biggest problem is remembering to secure to flush hatches, when transporting on the highways.  The front flush hatch has been rebuilt from the original left over wood, so the striping matches well, but the color is lighter as the more seasoned wood that has been out in the sun some, has a more amber color tone.  I'll try to show it in the pictures.