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Chesapeake 14 Wooden Kayak Kit
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A Chesapeake 14 wooden kayak built in NW Montana for his wife by David S.
Sale
Chesapeake 14
Sale
A couple paddling Chesapeake 14 (foreground) and Chesapeake 18 wooden kayaks
Sale
A woman paddling a Chesapeake 14 wooden kayak built by David S.
Sale
A boy paddling a Chesapeake 14 wooden kayak
Sale
A beached Chesapeake 14 wooden kayak built by David M.
Chesapeake 14 Wooden Kayak Kit Thumbnail
A Chesapeake 14 wooden kayak built in NW Montana for his wife by David S. Thumbnail
Chesapeake 14 Thumbnail
A couple paddling Chesapeake 14 (foreground) and Chesapeake 18 wooden kayaks Thumbnail
A woman paddling a Chesapeake 14 wooden kayak built by David S. Thumbnail
A boy paddling a Chesapeake 14 wooden kayak Thumbnail
A beached Chesapeake 14 wooden kayak built by David M. Thumbnail

Chesapeake 14

Builder Testimonials

An elegant small sea kayak with great handling, ideal for kids or small adults.

  • Skill Level Beginner
  • Estimated Build Time 80 Hours

This project was designed with the beginner in mind. Assembly manuals and documentation are calibrated for builders who are using epoxy and fiberglass for the first time. In kits, little or no trimming and fitting of parts is required.

It takes about 40 or 50 hours to assemble the hull. The boat wires together in a single day, so the bulk of this time is for epoxy and fiberglass work. Depending on your degree of fussiness, add another 30 hours for sanding, painting, and varnishing. 

Build this boat if...

  • You weigh less than 140 lbs. and are shorter than 5’6” in height
  • You want a traditional touring kayak that’s nimble, fast, and comfortable
  • You are looking for a small kayak that will carry enough gear for a several-day trip

  • Easy to Build

    Your first boatbuilding project!

  • Versatile

    A design that does everything well

  • Superior Support

    Tech support is free and unlimited

If this is your first go at mixing epoxy and assembling pre-cut wooden parts, here's a good design for starting out!

Fast but comfortable, comfortable but sleek, sophisticated but easy to build, elegant but straightforward. If you're going to have just one boat...

Superior Support

Have a question about your project, large or small? You can speak to a boatbuilder at CLC, on the phone or by email. Send questions to info@clcboats.com!

 Build Your Kit
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Builders also looked at...

Take One of our Boatbuilding Classes

We offer classes for many of the boats we sell. Teaching sites stretch from Maryland to Washington State and from Maine to California. Click here to find out more.
Chesapeake 14 Wooden Kayak Kit

Chesapeake 14 Wooden Kayak Kit

A Chesapeake 14 wooden kayak built in NW Montana for his wife by David S.

A Chesapeake 14 wooden kayak built in NW Montana for his wife by David S.

Chesapeake 14
A couple paddling Chesapeake 14 (foreground) and Chesapeake 18 wooden kayaks

A couple paddling Chesapeake 14 (foreground) and Chesapeake 18 wooden kayaks

A woman paddling a Chesapeake 14 wooden kayak built by David S.

A woman paddling a Chesapeake 14 wooden kayak built by David S.

A boy paddling a Chesapeake 14 wooden kayak

A boy paddling a Chesapeake 14 wooden kayak

A beached Chesapeake 14 wooden kayak built by David M.

A beached Chesapeake 14 wooden kayak built by David M.

Chesapeake 14 Wooden Kayak Kit Thumbnail
A Chesapeake 14 wooden kayak built in NW Montana for his wife by David S. Thumbnail
Chesapeake 14 Thumbnail
A couple paddling Chesapeake 14 (foreground) and Chesapeake 18 wooden kayaks Thumbnail
A woman paddling a Chesapeake 14 wooden kayak built by David S. Thumbnail
A boy paddling a Chesapeake 14 wooden kayak Thumbnail
A beached Chesapeake 14 wooden kayak built by David M. Thumbnail

Specifications

Length
14' 0"
Beam
21"
Cockpit Size
31" x 17"
Hull Weight
36 lbs.
Paddler Weight
60 - 135 lbs.
Max Payload
175 lbs.
Knee Height
10"
Max. Men's Shoe Size
8

Performance

Stability

4 out of 5
Very Tippy
Very Stable

Speed

3 out of 5
Cruiser
Racer

Cockpit Room

2 out of 5
Close Fit
Huge Cockpit

Payload

4 out of 5
Day Tripper
Freight Hauler

Ease of Construction

5 out of 5
Requires Patience
Very Easy
Chesapeake 14 Kayak built by William S.
Chesapeake 14 Kayak built by William S.

Overview

More than 9,000 Chesapeake-series kayak kits have been shipped since 1996. The Chesapeake 14 is the smallest of a series that varies in length from 14 to 21', and in hull weight from 36 to 68 lbs.

An enduring favorite among paddlers, the award-winning Chesapeakes are the gold standard for build-it-yourself sea kayaks.  Easy to build with sleek lines, their 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.

Large storage compartments will absorb enough gear and water for long, unsupported expeditions. Cockpits are large and easy to pad out for a custom fit. The big, comfortable cockpit is an ideal spot to spend a lazy afternoon if multi-week expeditions aren't your speed.

Many of our Chesapeake kayak builders  tell us about their explorations of quiet local rivers, others have gone on great adventures, including a few who have paddled the length of the Sea of Cortez. They are used in expeditions above the Arctic Circle and for day paddling in Florida.

Chesapeakes are built to endure a lifetime of strenuous touring with their 4mm-okoume-plywood hulls and decks, which are both sheathed with fiberglass. Watertight bulkheads are standard, as are hatches, deck rigging, adjustable footbraces, and a comfortable seat. One reason so many builders prefer the Chesapeakes is their flexible architecture, unique among kit boats. Experienced builders may customize every part of the boat above the waterline, whether building from a kit or plans.

Chesapeakes have been built in garages, apartments, living rooms, television studios, and in at least 50 countries from Iceland to Australia. You can watch a video of a Chesapeake kayak being built from start to finish here. 

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 and 17 hulls with lower decks and sides, reducing total volume by 20% for a sleeker, more compact kayak. 

Small sea kayaks are often just cute versions of larger, more serious boats. The Chesapeake 14™ is a serious kayak in its own right, designed specifically for kids and small-statured adults who don't want to be left behind by the big boats. Hundreds of builders have registered delight at the Chesapeake 14's combination of speed, stability, and tracking.

Six young teenagers were given the chance to paddle and then review the Chesapeake 14™ among a fleet of 6 other kayaks; "The entire team commented positively about this boat's comfort . . . All of the team found the Chesapeake 14™ to be very stable . . . Everyone agreed that this was the fastest kayak of those tested . . ." see what each reviewer had to say - Sea Kayaker, June 2001

 

Do you fit in this kayak?  Study our kayak fit chart.

Buying Options

Choose Your Boatbuilding Experience

Start your kit-building experience by choosing the option that best suits your experience and itinerary. Don’t have the confidence to build on your own? No worries! Join a boatbuilding class or hire us to build a custom boat for you.

  1. Select Your Configuration

    Build From a Kit:
    Most builders start with the Base Kit. It’s all there.
    Build From Scratch:
    Build from scratch using full-sized plans.
    Build From a Wood Parts Only Kit:
    For those who have their own supply of epoxy, fiberglass, and hardware.
    Order Study Plans or Manuals:
    Like to study up a bit first? Download study plans or a copy of the assembly manual. 

  2. Choose Options and Add-ons

    Additional Components:
    Add rudders, skegs, hatch options, spray skirts, and more. 

  3. Get Building!

    Computer-cut kits feature all of the latest tweaks to ease assembly, including slot-together frames, pre-drilled holes for stitching-and-gluing, puzzle joints, and precision in the fitting of parts.

Standard Configuration

When you buy a complete strip-planked kayak kit, you will receive the CNC-cut forms and strongback, as well as any stem and cockpit-mold components. The strips are precision-milled bead-and-cove Western Red and Alaskan Yellow cedar. The kit also includes hatch blanks, a full epoxy kit, fiberglass, a copy of designer Nick Schade's book, construction drawings, a foam seat, a Rapid Pulse backband, Keepers footbraces, and deck hardware.

Sale
$1,139.00 $970.00

The Chesapeake 14 kit ships with computer-cut okoume marine p...

The Chesapeake 14 kit ships with computer-cut okoume marine plywood hull and deck parts, hatches and bulkheads, full deck rigging, adjustable footbraces, epoxy kit, fiberglass for hull and deck, tractor seat, and backband, plus our extensively illustrated 180-page step-by-step instruction manual.

Alternative Configurations

Builders with access to their own supplies of epoxy, fiberglass, and hardware may choose from these options. The Wood Parts Only Kit contains all of the CNC-cut forms and strongback, as well as other mold components. They also have sufficient precision-milled bead-and-cove Western Red and Alaskan Yellow cedar strips, as well as hatch blanks. Plans and manual are also included.

$768.00

The Chesapeake 14 "wood parts only" kit ships with computer-c...

The Chesapeake 14 "wood parts only" kit ships with computer-cut okoume marine plywood hull and deck parts, hatches and bulkheads, full deck rigging, adjustable footbraces, epoxy kit, fiberglass for hull and deck, tractor seat, and backband, plus our extensively illustrated 180-page step-by-step instruction manual. Typical "wood parts only" kit buyers have an existing or ready supply of their own epoxy, fiberglass, and hardware. 

 
$89.00

This Chesapeake kit includes plans and instructions. 

This Chesapeake kit includes plans and instructions. 
$79.00

Plans for the Chesapeake 14 comprise 5 pages, each page 24" x...

Plans for the Chesapeake 14 comprise 5 pages, each page 24" x 36" (610 x 914mm). Also included is the latest version of the assembly manual, emailed in the form of a large PDF, with 8.5" x 11" (216 x 280mm) pages.

This option is for PDF download of the plans. You will need to be able to print the plans at 24" x 36", probably on a commercial plotter.

These plans include:
Page 1: General arrangement
Page 2: Offsets for hull panels, full-sized patterns for bottom panel ends
Page 3: Construction details, full-sized patterns for hatches
Page 4: Full-sized pattern for cockpit coaming
Page 5: Full-sized patterns for bulkheads and seat

Please note: Upon placing the order, you'll receive an email with a link to the PDF.  Be sure to use a correct email address! If you have filters in place, make sure that emails from "admin@clcboats.com" are not blocked.  

Orders from outside the lower 48 U.S. states will need to wait until the next business day for processing and email delivery of their plans.

Copying or transmitting any part of this document is prohibited, as is posting or displaying any part of it online.

Chesapeake 14 Plans by CLC
$25.00

173-page spiral-bound manual that walks you through Chesapeak...

173-page spiral-bound manual that walks you through Chesapeake kayak construction step by step.  

NOTE: CLC instruction manuals walk you through construction step by step with photos and drawings, and are a good way to get acquainted with the process in advance of a kit purchase. (Manual purchase refundable with kit purchase.) There is not enough information in the manual to build a boat from scratch---you will need the complete Plans & Manual Only package for that.
$20.00

This option comprises the latest version of the illustrated a...

This option comprises the latest version of the illustrated assembly manual, emailed in the form of a large PDF, with 8.5" x 11" (216x280mm) pages.  

Please note:  This option is for builders who want to study the process before taking up their tools. The manual includes a materials list, tool list, and of course step-by-step construction details from start to finish.

While the manual is expansive in detail, the manuals alone lack sufficient detail to fabricate parts.  You will still need to purchase the plans or a pre-cut kit to build the boat. Plans are available through the mail. We regret that we are not able to transmit plans or CAD/CAM data digitally.

Upon placing the order, you'll receive an email with a link to the PDF.  Be sure to use a correct email address! If you have filters in place, be sure that emails from "admin@clcboats.com" are not blocked.  

Orders from outside the lower 48 U.S. states will need to wait until the next business day for processing and email delivery of their manual.

Copying or transmitting any part of this document is prohibited, as is posting or displaying any part of it online
$2.99

You can get printable study plans for most of your favorite ...

Chesapeake 14 Kayak Study Plans page 1

You can get printable study plans for most of your favorite kits and plans by return email --- for just a few dollars! 

When you order a set, you'll receive the study plans emailed in the form of PDFs at 8.5" x 11" (216x280mm).  

These printable drawings (most are two pages) help give a sense of the construction process and a feel for what the full-size plans or kit contain. Please note that a boat can not be built from Study Plans; they are to preview a project in print media; the Study Plans are an excellent broad-strokes look at the process. The subsequent escalation for more information is to order the boat's print instruction manual (where available), which will walk you through the project step-by-step.   

Upon placing the order, you'll receive an email with a link to the PDF.  Be sure to use the correct email address! If you have filters in place, ensure emails from "admin@clcboats.com" are not blocked.

Videos

Building a Stitch & Glue Kayak: Complete Video

Chesapeake 17

Chesapeake18 Build at Jenkins Boat Works

Chesapeake 18 Complete Build Series by Jenkins Boat Works

Frequently Asked Questions

I want to install my Chesapeake deck with no ring nails. Will the epoxy be strong enough? How can I keep the deck down while it cures?

MAS and System3 epoxies will certainly hold the deck down without the ring nails.  Here at the shop we like to use packing tape for jobs like this.  It's quite easy to manage.

How do I order this kit?

Click on the Buying Options tab the top left of this page and follow the directions.

If I buy one of your boat kits, what else will I need?

Chesapeake Light Craft kits contain all the parts and materials you need to build the boat. The kit includes pre-cut parts, hardware, epoxy, fiberglass, plans and instructions. Our standard kayak kits also have the seats, hatches, bulkheads, footbraces, and the deck-rigging. About the only thing kits don't include is the final finish: paint or varnish. Your boat's color scheme is entirely up to you.

You'll need a few ordinary tools, like a cordless drill, a decent 5-inch sander, and for most boats a wood plane. You'll need disposables such as sandpaper and paint brushes and mixing cups.

You need a workspace a couple of feet bigger all the way around than the boat you want to build, and you'll need to be able to maintain temperatures between about 55 degrees F and 95 degrees F during steps when epoxy is being applied or curing. Since a lot of boatbuilding gets done during winter, we've written up some tips on how to heat a cold space cheaply, easily, and safely.

How much does this boat weigh and how much can it carry?

The weight and payload of this boat, along with other statistics such length and beam, can be found under Specs in the Specifications section, which is just below the lead image seen at the top of this page.

Can you send me the plans digitally?

Sorry, but until digital rights management technology for marine architectural work catches up to that used for books and music, we are unable to transmit digital plans. Currently, only study plans and manuals can be sent digitally.

Sea Kayaker Magazine - June 2001 Kayaks for Kids (Chesapeake 14)
Sea Kayaker Magazine - June 2001 Kayaks for Kids (Chesapeake 14)
Extras

KAYAKS FOR KIDS: A REVIEW OF SEVEN MODELS by Leslie Forsberg

Sea Kayaker magazine asked six teenagers to review a series of small kayaks. They reviewed Chesapeake Light Craft Chesapeake 14 and kayaks by five other companies:, EPI, Ocean Kayak, Old Town, Perception Kayaks, Squeedunk, and Aquadynamics. Their review of the Chesapeake 14 is below. Read more

Classes

Take One of our Boatbuilding Classes

We offer classes for many of the boats we sell. Teaching sites stretch from Maryland to Washington State and from Maine to California. Click here to find out more.

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