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I spent $700 on my Pygmy Arctic Tern kit and spent about $800 total (including non-expendables such as clamps) on my Outer Island. It probably would have been $500-600 if you had all the tools, scraps for strongback/forms/etc.
I haven't had the opportunity to try out an Outer Island before I started building, but I think you're right on the fast/easily rolled/easily sculled part. But given that it is roundish-bottomed and 18 feet long, don't expect it to carve turns like your hard-chined Chessie. If that's a major plus for you, check out the stitch-and-glue that Chris Cunningham designed in the Fall '94 issue of Sea Kayaker magazine. It has about the same overall dimensions (18'x21.5") as the Outer Island, but with the traditional Greenland hard chines.
Dean
> I have been planning on building the North Bay as my next project. I like
> my CLC Chesapeake...it is the first hard chined boat I've owned...but
> would like something a bit sportier. I paddled the North Bay at a demo and
> loved it. However, the Outer Island has also caught my eye and looks as if
> it might have the same sporty (e.g., fast, easily rolled, easily sculled,
> carved turns, etc.)) character. Has anyone had experience with these boats
> (particulary the Outer Island as I have not paddled that one).
> Also, I have only done stitch and glue. For those who have done both, is
> the strip building proccess about as easy, and around the same price, as
> the stitch-N-glue process.
> Thanks, Dave Walker
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Guillemot Kayak - High
Performance Wooden Sea Kayak Designs
