New ultralight Teardrop kit in development!

[Thomcat316]

So we stopped by Chesapeake Light Craft in Annapolis during our July 4th DC trip in order to buy a kayak kit for my daughter (Shearwater 14 mk.I, if anyone cares), and due to pulling in with a teardrop in tow, got dragged back to the development workshop to see their not-yet-finished-but-in-development ultralight teardrop kit.

General specs:
Developed to fit the usual HF/NT/XXX cargo trailer.
Lightweight trailer may be a kit option in the future.
Very light build (sez a guy with two teardrops that total under 600lbs.).
Has vent/fan opening.
Fits queen bed.
Galley hatch.
Low profile.
Streamlined.

Development isn't finished yet, no release date yet, no cost estimate yet. If this is done in a similar manner to their boats, it will be do-able by anyone with moderate woodworking skills in a small area with very basic tools. The manual and drawings will be well done, and everything will fit together well.

Drawings:

Forward quarter:

Side:

Galley:

Top/Vent:

Looking forward:

Looking aft:


The usual disclaimers apply; only a satisfied kayak freak, haven't yet built anything they've sent me exactly as supplied (gotta be d!ff3r3nt), don't drink the epoxy, and remember - sanding is a religion, not just a task.

If you build one, post a journal!

[JuneBug]

A flat pack teardrop. Very IKEA. I like it!

[jss06]

I like the profile. Will have to keep an eye on this.

[Thomcat316]

A little petite for the camping/trade show travel I do, but I really see this blowing up in the Miata/Mini/Fiat/Harley/Trike community - a bedroom you don't have to schedule? Done!

[Pmullen503]

I've built a CLC kayak before and the kit was very well made. This looks like it will be made with the typical stitch and glue technique they use for their boats. I bet it will be amazingly light.

The door looks interesting!

[tony.latham]

I think it's extra-damn cool!

T

[JuneBug]

Based on the cost of their boat kits and materials involved, does anyone want to make a guesstimate on cost? Ballpark?
That prototype does look gorgeous.

[mikeschn]

I like it. Someone could do that in foam.

Mike...

[capnTelescope]

Kinda like a woody Roswell. The curved walls should be especially good for towing in crosswinds.

I think it's extra-damn cool!

+1

[Thomcat316]

This looks like it will be made with the typical stitch and glue technique they use for their boats. I bet it will be amazingly light.

The door looks interesting!

I am thinking that it will use the outside form technique that you find in the PocketShip construction - instead of pulling it all together like you do for the skinny pointy things, there's a cross-slotted set of forms that hold the panels in from the outside. Much less stress along the joints, less chance of asymmetry, and less possibility for things to move if bumped while curing,

I have a Mill Creek 16.5 that illustrates that last problem pretty clearly, but at least the fish don't care....