Chesapeake 16

 More than 6,300 Chesapeake-series kits have been shipped over the last 10 years. An enduring favorite among paddlers, the Chesapeakes are the gold standard for build-it-yourself sea kayaks.  In 2008, Sea Kayaker readers awarded the Chesapeake 17 "Best Kayak Kit."

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. CLC's signature cambered decks shed spray, increase the storage space inside the hull, add strength without weight, and look great. Chesapeakes are built in garages, apartments, living rooms, television studios, and in at least 50 countries from Iceland to Australia.

Individual kayak fit is very important, so there are six singles, two doubles, and a triple to choose from. The 16LT and 17LT are standard Chesapeake 16 & 17 hulls with lower decks and sides, reducing total volume by 20% for a sleeker, more compact kayak.