BUILD YOUR OWN NIGHT HERON SEA KAYAK
A fast, efficient, high–performance stitch-and-glue sea kayak you can build yourself or with a partner.
- NICK SCHADE — JULY 5–11
Sea kayaks are, first and foremost, sophisticated, yet simple tools for traveling on the water; but that simplicity of function can also be an aesthetic treat. The clean lines that part the water so smoothly also draw the eyes to take in its curves. Nick Schade’s Night Heron is a distillation of almost 20 years of paddling and design experience. Its performance will please the most experienced kayaker, while not being intimidating for novice paddlers.
This kayak, 18' long by 20" wide, is reliable in all kinds of water conditions. It is equally at home exploring narrow, sheltered salt marshes, quiet ponds, large bays, and the wide-open ocean. It maneuvers easily, responding quickly to steering strokes, and carves a turn nicely with a slight lean.
The Night Heron is a stitch-and-glue okoume plywood sea kayak that starts as a stack of computercut pieces. This computer-cut kit allows for precision-cut parts that make the assembly of the boat straightforward and quick. It also makes possible the unique panel joints that give the kayak its popular nickname “puzzle boat.” Instead of tricky-to-cut scarfs, the long panels are linked together using puzzle shaped tabs. These tabs create a graphic feature that provides a distinctive look to the kayak.
It will be a fast-paced, busy week as the kayak quickly takes shape. Students will learn the finer points of stitch-and-glue construction, joinerwork, and fiberglassing. Be prepared for some long days in the shop so each day’s goals can be met. It will definitely be an exciting experience to watch as the plywood parts combine and fold into the graceful lines of your full-fledged kayak.
Tuition: $750 (partner: $375) Materials: $1250
Note: This is a six-day course ending Saturday afternoon.