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 Duck 10 is a super-light, super-easy-to-use rec boat for anyone up to 200 pounds or so.  The Wood Duck 12 has a bigger payload and enough waterline length to cover miles with the sea kayaks.

By having designer Eric Schade add a little more volume, however, we could help out two kinds of paddlers:  those who need a really generous amount of room for comfort, or those who need the space in the cockpit for a toddler or---more commonly---a big dog.  The Wood Duck 14 is also an amazing platform for serious fishing.  Again, the cockpit is absolutely voluminous.

Because of its size, we don't recommend the Wood Duck 14 for paddlers under 200 pounds unless there is also a need for the extra-long cockpit opening.  We'd suggest a rudder for lighter paddlers.  The Wood Duck 14 is ideal for all conditions, from placid narrow creeks to open bays.

The amount of cockpit volume indicated a need for watertight bulkheads both fore and aft, so those are standard in the kit to make it easier to self-rescue.  Flush deck hatches are also standard in the kit.

Construction is as simple as possible in a kayak.  Our computer cuts out the panels and drills the holes for wire stitches.  "Puzzle joints" aid in quick, precision assembly.  This is an ideal first boatbuilding project.

Construction begins by joining the plywood hull panels with “puzzle joints” to reach the 14-foot overall length.  Then the panels are brought together along their edges with stitches of copper wire, with four bulkheads helping to form the hull shape.  The seams are reinforced with thickened epoxy, then fiberglass fabric.  The deck is assembled separately from the hull, then stitched and epoxied in place.  All of the copper wire stitches are removed prior to the final sheathing of fiberglass fabric.  Finally, the cockpit is laminated in place and the front and rear hatches assembled.  A comfortable seat and footbraces, included in the kit, are mounted after the hull has been varnished. 

Plans for the Wood Duck 14 include full-sized patterns for every part, the comprehensive step-by-step instruction manual, and of course materials lists and finishing detail.

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

Build this boat if:

• You need a gigantic but not excessively long kayak.
• You need a kayak that can carry a small child or a big dog in the cockpit.
• You need a versatile and commodious fishing platform.
• Ease of construction is important

Builders also looked at:

Wood Duck 12 | High-Capacity Great Auk | Mill Creek 13

Mill Creek 16.5  | Chesapeake 18