Boat Plans » Kayak Plans |
Browse our complete line of kayak plans! We have 54 wooden kayak designs that you can build from our plans: stitch-and-glue designs, strip-planked designs, and hybrid designs that combine both kayak building techniques. We have sea kayaks, surf kayaks, performance kayaks, and recreational kayaks.
Check this tool for help choosing the right kayak.
More than 9000 Chesapeake-series kits have been shipped since 1996. An enduring favorite among paddlers, the award-winning Chesapeakes are the gold standard for build-it-yourself sea kayaks. They are easy to build but handsome and fast....
Kits from $1139.00
Plans from $89.00
Beautiful, easy to use recreational kayaks - Here we have two beautiful little kayaks designed for just about everyone to enjoy on the water. With big cockpits and ample stability, the emphasis is on comfort. But these boats really...
Kits from $1329.00
Plans from $119.00
This boat combines the quick assembly of the stitch-and-glue hull and the beauty of a strip-built deck. The hull is exactly the same as the S&G Night Heron and the deck is exactly the same as the strip-built version. Since stitch and...
Kits from $1735.00
Plans from $149.00
Yet another boat that's hard to find: a kayak designed expressly for surfing. Nick Schade has applied his formidable skills in flat-plate-geometry design to the Matunuck, and we are pleased to be the first to offer this beautiful kit to...
Kits from $1159.00
Plans from $129.00
This kayak has been optimized to be as efficient as possible at race pace, while fitting within the rules for a "Sea Kayak Touring Class" as defined by the United States Canoe Association: 20ft max length, with a 4" water line beam of at...
Kits from $2239.00
Plans from $129.00
This design is exactly the same as the regular deck Night Heron below the sheer line. The deck has been bumped up for a little more leg room and more storage volume. This boat will maintain the performance characteristics of the standard deck...
Kits from $2049.00
Plans from $129.00
Build this boat in a week! 2025: April 14-19: Annapolis, MD June 29-July 5: Brooklin, ME July 14-20: Seattle, WA Doubles can be big, like our voluminous Chesapeake Double, or they can be small,...
Kits from $2085.00
Plans from $119.00
Like the strip version of the Night Heron, this S&G version is at home out on the open water and exploring the shores of distant islands. As drawn, it has the exact same profile shape of the lower deck version of the strip-built Night...
Kits from $1699.00
Plans from $149.00
Beautiful, easy to use recreational kayaks - Here we have two beautiful little kayaks designed for just about everyone to enjoy on the water. With big cockpits and ample stability, the emphasis is on comfort. But these boats really...
Kits from $1329.00
Plans from $119.00
The all-new Wood Duck 14 is a big, versatile kayak in a compact, ultralight, easy-to-build package. The Wood Duck 10 and Wood Duck 12 have been runaway successes; kits rarely stay on the shelf here for more than a day or two. The Wood...
Kits from $1485.00
Plans from $119.00
The essential attributes of our Wood Duck line of kayaks are compact dimensions, comfortable cockpits, above-average "rec boat" speed, versatility on the water, handsome looks with great character, and ease of construction. So...
Kits from $1625.00
Plans from $119.00
More than 7000 Chesapeake-series kits have been shipped since 1996. An enduring favorite among paddlers, the award-winning Chesapeakes are the gold standard for build-it-yourself sea kayaks. They are easy to build but handsome and fast....
Kits from $1299.00
Plans from $89.00
A kayak divided into three, but a sum greater than the parts. Spin loose five sturdy stainless bolts at the watertight bulkheads and the Shearwater Sectional packs down to fit in a hatchback car. Or in your garage. Or...
from $1689.00
More than 7000 Chesapeake-series kits have been shipped since 1996. An enduring favorite among paddlers, the award-winning Chesapeakes are the gold standard for build-it-yourself sea kayaks. They are easy to build but handsome and fast....
Kits from $1298.00
Plans from $89.00
The Wood Duck 10 Hybrid substitutes cedar strips for the standard plywood deck, while the stitch-and-glue hull and underbody is identical to the standard version. Thus it's a "hybrid" of a strip-planking and stitch-and-glue building...
Kits from $1579.00
Plans from $119.00
Stitch-and-glue sea kayak design has grown up a lot in the last fifteen years, driven by enthusiastic paddlers who prefer ultralight, beautiful boats that handle like extensions of themselves. For a new line of high-performance sea kayaks,...
Kits from $1485.00
Plans from $119.00
"[T]he Shearwater is an eye-catching, light and fast cruiser that does many things well. It is a strong contender for the budget-minded paddler looking to answer the 'if I could only have one kayak' question." - from Sea Kayaker's October...
Kits from $1498.00
Plans from $119.00
Cedar-strip kayaks are admired for their beauty and functionality. Kayaks made entirely of cedar strips require a “strongback” and special molds, which translates into a lot of skilled labor and time. Why not combine the...
Kits from $1759.00
Plans from $119.00
Cedar-strip kayaks are admired for their beauty and functionality. Kayaks made entirely of cedar strips require a “strongback” and special molds, which translates into a lot of skilled labor and time. Why not combine the...
Kits from $1759.00
Plans from $119.00
Early sailors thought the Storm Petrel could walk on water. Named after Saint Peter, petrels are small birds that feed at sea by fluttering just above the swell with their feet tip-toeing across the water. Like its bird namesake, the Petrel kayak...
Kits from $2049.00
Plans from $129.00
The Night Heron line is an evolutionary branch of the Guillemots, but Nick took a look back at Greenland Inuit boats for some of the hull shaping inspiration. This boat brings the volume of the hull out towards the ends more for a higher...
Kits from $2049.00
Plans from $129.00
In 1924, George Crouch designed a ground-breaking speedboat named "Baby Bootlegger." Baby Bootlegger was an innovation in its time, introducing the “rolled sheer” where the deck blends smoothly into the side. With the long stream-lined...
Kits from $2349.00
Plans from $119.00
Kayaks are so easily driven that the urge to equip them for sailing must be as old as kayaks themselves. This neat trimaran-conversion kit, first introduced in 1995, has been built in vast numbers. Read this article for the entire 17-year...
Kits from $1785.00
Plans from $89.00
Based on his popular microBootlegger tandem kayak, Nick Schade has created the microBootlegger Solo with the elegant look of a 1920s mahogany runabout. It's a roomy boat with a large cockpit, almost what one might call a double paddle canoe...
from $1879.00
Based on Nick Schade's popular microBootlegger tandem kayak design, the microBootlegger Sport was originally designed for an inexperienced, yet fit paddler looking for a kayak he could grow into. Suitable for someone seeking...
from $1969.00
"The Shearwater is an eye-catching, light and fast cruiser that does many things well. It is a strong contender for the budget-minded paddler looking to answer the 'if I could only have one kayak' question." - from Sea Kayaker's October...
Kits from $1498.00
Plans from $119.00
The Ganymede and Io are designs from Nick Schade's "Jupiter Point" series of kayaks. This family of lightweight kayaks are versatile, easy to build, and fun to paddle. With distinctive and attractive 3-panel hulls and decks, these kayaks are...
Kits from $1069.00
Plans from $69.00
Kayaks for kids are tough. On one hand, kids have great balance and are naturally athletic, and they take to kayaks like ducks. So there's no reason to put them in a kayak that's tubby or not sized right for them. They want a...
Kits from $919.00
Plans from $119.00
The Guillemot "L" is an enlarged version of the Guillemot. It is intended for larger paddlers who need additional room for their legs and feet. All dimensions have been increased by approximately 6%. In addition, Nick has added to the height of...
Kits from $2098.00
Plans from $129.00
This delightful little boat is designed for someone who wants a light, easy to handle recreational kayak of distinctive character. Its small size makes it easy to put on the roof of a car or on the deck of a yacht and transport it to your favorite...
Kits from $1698.00
Plans from $109.00
The Guillemot is the boat Nick set out to create when he first named his boatbuilding and design firm "Guillemot Kayaks". Nick wanted a boat with good all-around performance for his own use. It needed to be "sporty" with quick acceleration...
Kits from $1975.00
Plans from $129.00
Finally! A sit-on-top with style - Traditional sea kayaks are elegant and sleek but their cockpits exclude a lot of people who paddle where it’s hot, and almost anybody who has stiff knees or who doesn’t want to be confined in an...
Kits from $1769.00
Plans from $129.00
Cedar-strip kayaks are admired for their beauty and functionality. Kayaks made entirely of cedar strips require a “strongback” and special molds, which translates into a lot of skilled labor and time. Why not...
Kits from $1719.00
Plans from $119.00
More than 7000 Chesapeake-series kits have been shipped since 1996. An enduring favorite among paddlers, the award-winning Chesapeakes are the gold standard for build-it-yourself sea kayaks. They are easy to build but handsome and fast....
Kits from $1298.00
Plans from $89.00
The success of the proven Chesapeake hull shape led quickly to demands for similar tandem and three-person designs. The Chesapeake Double and Triple are high-volume touring boats, with a 700lb payload that belies their surprising speed. Even...
Kits from $2069.00
Plans from $89.00
The success of the proven Chesapeake hull shape led quickly to demands for similar tandem and three-person designs. The Chesapeake Double and Triple are high-volume touring boats, with a 700lb payload that belies their surprising speed....
Kits from $1869.00
Plans from $89.00
There was a lot of demand but hardly anything like it in 2002 when we unveiled the Chesapeake Sport Tandem. This very narrow, very fast double is perfect for athletic couples who want to really cover the miles, whether it's for excercise,...
Kits from $1869.00
Plans from $89.00
This kayak is a shortened version of the standard Great Auk. It is a recreational kayak well suited to sheltered lakes and harbors where you may occasionally encounter moderate winds and modest waves. The relatively short length allows it to...
Kits from $1879.00
Plans from $119.00
With the same cross section and similar profile shape as the Guillemot, the Expedition Single has many of the same handling characteristics as the shorter Guillemot. The length of the Expedition Single provides volume for gear and efficient long...
Kits from $2039.00
Plans from $129.00
Maximum speed and fun in a tandem kayak. The width is the same as the Expedition Single at 21 inches. This is narrow, but it gains great stability from its 25'6" length. This is a boat for a pair of experienced paddlers who want to paddle...
Kits from $2598.00
Plans from $129.00
The Great Auk is a roomy, fast and stable kayak and tracks very straight. The long water line and clean entry permits it to cut through the water with a barely visible wake. The flared bow gives a very dry ride, lifting over most waves...
Kits from $2079.00
Plans from $129.00
By stretching out the Great Auk, Nick has created a tandem sea kayak that will be comfortable for occasional paddlers while providing an efficient and capable boat for a pair of skilled kayakers. The long waterline allows a couple of strong...
Kits from $2598.00
Plans from $129.00
The 11-foot Little Auk is identical to the 10-footer, but the longer version will carry a larger paddler and track more strongly. Our strip-built and hybrid kits ship with 50% Western Red and 50% Alaskan Yellow cedar bead & cove strips....
Kits from $1698.00
Plans from $109.00
A simple scaling-down of the Guillemot creates a fun and able boat for smaller paddlers. This boat is efficient and easily paddled. Due to its narrow width it may be less stable than other boats you have paddled, but if you have been...
Kits from $1975.00
Plans from $129.00
This design is an adaptation of Nick's successful Guillemot design features to a tandem kayak. It is a roomy, stable and comfortable boat. Nick drew the stern to easily accept a rudder but it is not required. The cockpits are quite far...
Kits from $2598.00
Plans from $129.00
If you are going on a months-long tour up the Inside Passage you might want to carry a lot of supplies. This is the kayak to do it. It has the capacity to carry a large load efficiently. It is stable enough to be rigged with a small sail.This boat...
Kits from $2298.00
Plans from $129.00
Hybrid Night Heron - High Deck
A hybrid version of the Night Heron, combining a stitch-and-glue hull with the beauty of a strip-built deck. This is a higher-decked version of the hybrid Night Heron, for taller paddlers who need more knee and leg room. Do you fit in...
Kits from $1735.00
Plans from $149.00
If you are looking for a kayak for playing in waves and surf, this boat is a lot of fun. Its wide, flat bottom allows for quick turns and easy surfing. Its low volume makes it an easy roller, but it is wide enough to be stable as you...
Kits from $1998.00
Plans from $129.00
Ever since WoodenBoat Magazine featured the Mill Creek 13 in a two-issue spread in 1997, the Mill Creek models have been built in the thousands. And why not? They look good, they're easy to build, and even though they are more stable than most...
Kits from $1569.00
Plans from $119.00
Ever since WoodenBoat Magazine featured the Mill Creek 13 in a two-issue spread in 1997, the Mill Creek models have been built in the thousands. And why not? They look good, they're easy to build, and even though they are more stable than most...
Kits from $1239.00
Plans from $119.00
The Razor Billed Auk is a fast boat suitable for long distance touring or recreational racing. It has enough volume to carry gear for an extended tour and has the long waterline and low wetted surface area to move efficiently through the...
Kits from $2079.00
Plans from $129.00
More than 7000 Chesapeake-series kits have been shipped since 1996. An enduring favorite among paddlers, the award-winning Chesapeakes are the gold standard for build-it-yourself sea kayaks. They are easy to build but handsome and fast....
Kits from $1329.00
Plans from $89.00
More than 7000 Chesapeake-series kits have been shipped since 1996. An enduring favorite among paddlers, the award-winning Chesapeakes are the gold standard for build-it-yourself sea kayaks. They are easy to build but handsome and fast....
Kits from $1299.00
Plans from $89.00
The deck of this design has been lowered behind the cockpit to ease layback rolls and the cockpit is shorter to allow bracing anywhere under the foredeck. The hull is still the same as the standard Night Heron so the performance will be...
Kits from $2049.00
Plans from $129.00
The Wood Duck 12 Hybrid substitutes cedar strips for the standard plywood deck, while the stitch-and-glue hull and underbody are identical to the standard version. Thus it's a "hybrid" of strip-planking and stitch-and-glue building...
Kits from $1598.00
Plans from $119.00
This design grew out of intense modification of the baidarka (an Aleut kayak) drawn by David Zimmerly and featured in his book "Qajak: Kayaks of Siberia and Alaska." Baidarkas are legendary for their speed and seaworthiness. However they were...
Kits from $2159.00
Plans from $129.00
