Petrel SG

I started paddling my CLC Petrel SG in February and have been out more than 25 times since then.  This is an amazing kayak, resulting from a terrific design and a very well thought out and produced kit.  Okay, okay, assembling the hatch recesses was a bit challenging . . . .

I am not an experienced kayaker. My father built me a simple recreational kayak when I was a teenager, and I have jumped into kayaks a few times as an adult. But when I tried several CLC kayaks at one of the Jonas Green Park demo days, I was struck by the handling of the strip-planked Petrel.  I decided I should try an easier build for my first kayak, so I chose the stitch-and-glue version.

So far the kayak has easily handled any sea conditions I have tried it in.  It is easy to control, particularly as I become more familiar with it.  I took it to a Waters Edge Kayak Meetup and learned that it is faster -- when I want it to be -- than any of the other kayaks.

It also turns heads and draws positive comments whenever others see it. I made some minor changes from the stock kit while I was building it.  The bulkheads are carbon-fiber foam panels to save a little weight.  Rather than end pours and a hole drilled through each end for the toggle and line, I used a carbon-fiber tube, and I used the same carbon-fiber tube as a drain the largest hatch recess.  I have not weighed the kayak but expect it is a bit lighter than a Petrel SG constructed according to the kit manual.  I stained the outside, and put a centerline maple onlay on the deck, along with laminated maple "reinforcements" at the stem and stern. 

Shortly after I bought the kit in fall of 2016, I attended the CLC open house.  There was a great presentation on carving foam seats and I chose to do that for this kayak. Both the CPA and Waters-Edge kayakers that I have met typically seem to have gone through several different kayaks to get to their current favorite.  So far my experience is that the Petrel SG does everything I want, extremely well, and I don't see the need to build another kayak. (Don't worry, there are other boats and CLC kits I am interested in, even if the Petrel is the only kayak I think I need). I don't have an e-mail address for Nick Schade, but thanks very much to you John, CLC, and to Nick for a fabulous sea kayak.

This Petrel SG was given to my wife on our 20th wedding anniversary.  I have been building model boats for 40 years but, the Petrel SG was my first full-scale boat.  It was a pleasure to build, and a pleasure to paddle.  The Bowles Reservoir, in Denver, Colorado, is one place that we like to paddle.  A sea kayak in a landlocked state, go figure.  I'm planning to paddle this kayak in many of the beautiful lakes in Colorado, and hopefully one of these days, I'll take it to the Colorado River. 

I wanted to thank you for such a great kit. I’ve built a lot of stuff over the years, but I can honestly say that building the Petrel SG was the most fun project I’ve ever taken on. I was really sorry to see it end, but I am really enjoying the water. Fast, maneuverable, and a really able rolling machine! Thanks again!