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 Heron. As built it tends to track a little more stiffly due to a slight sharper "V" at the stem and stern. Due to the plywood construction this version has the more defined "hard" chine than the strip version. This makes the boat a little more responsive to edged turns. Otherwise the performance of the different version of the Night Herons are all quite similar.
The "chine" on the foredeck provides clearance to keep your paddle stroke entry close to the boat while paddling with a high or low paddle angle. It also provides room where you need it for your knees and feet.
The stitch-and-glue Night Heron has proven extremely popular with builders, thanks to the high performance, aggressive styling and great looks. Many builders adopt Nick's multi-color staining approach, with each of the jigsaw-puzzled parts a different hue. This is a neat stitch-and-glue kit, where Chesapeake Light Craft's CNC technology is taken to its logical conclusion, with intricate parts and fits all perfectly sorted out. Holes for wire stitches are drilled in advance. Plans builders will use scarf joints to glue the panels to full length, not puzzle joints, as used in the kit. An optional bulkhead kit is available.
Do you fit in this kayak? Study our kayak fit chart.
Build this boat if:
- You are a skilled paddler looking for a sophisticated sharp-handling kayak for waves and speed
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Stitch & Glue 
