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Chesapeake Double Kit

21'
Length
30"
Width (in)
65
Weight (lb)
$1,249
MSRP

Chesapeake Double Kit Description

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. The high bow will carry you over all but the worst chop, while the deep stern ensures confident tracking in strong crosswinds, even with a light load. These are substantial boats for serious expeditions. They are comfortable day-trippers for families or couples.

As in the other Chesapeake variants, the Double and Triple are built solidly, with epoxy and fiberglass on the inside, outside and deck of the 4mm okoume hull. For safety, watertight bulkheads are standard.

Chesapeake Double Kit Specs and Features

  • Structure: Rigid / Hard Shell
  • Cockpit Type: Sit Inside
  • Seating Configuration: Tandem
  • Ideal Paddler Size: Average Adult, Larger Adult
  • Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
  • Ideal Paddler Size: Average Adult, Larger Adult
  • Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Additional Attributes

  • Plans, instructions, pre-cut parts, hatches and bulkheads
  • Full deck rigging, Keepers™ adjustable footbraces (two pairs), epoxy kit, fiberglass for hull and deck, tractor seats, and backbands.

Chesapeake Light Craft
Chesapeake Double Kit Reviews

Read reviews for the Chesapeake Double Kit by Chesapeake Light Craft as submitted by your fellow paddlers. All of the reviews are created and written by paddlers like you, so be sure to submit your own review and be part of the community!

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4

After 2 years of on…

Submitted by: VTwoodskier on 9/3/2010
After 2+ years of on again/off again efforts, we launched 'Peapod' this August as a triple. We took her out on a Vermont Lake and on a tidal river and ocean (Buzzard's Bay, MA). Smooth cadillac ride, even in chop or larger waves. Wind had some effect, mostly when trying to turn across and into it. 21 feet long tracks well, turns like an aircraft carrier, even with the rudder. Best trips seemed to be with maximum load of passengers/weight, just like a cadillac...We had as many as two adults and 5 kids in her (middle cockpit opening design was modified to an oval opening). fun ride, lots of admiring looks and GREAT satisfaction out of building it myself. Boat is easy to build with little skill and materials (wood, epoxy, fiberglass) make it simple to repair mistakes or modify it in anyway during, or post construction. Working on completing the sail rig kit but not looking like it will be usable this fall...looking forward to multi-day excursions in this for years to come!
4

I bought Charlie's Triple…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 10/9/2002
I bought Charlie's Triple (see his entry on this page), since he said it was for sale. I use the boat primarily with my petite wife and one or two of my small children, occassionally with other adult males. The boat is very large and is VERY stable. It tracks staight as an arrow, and conversely turns slowly, as expected for a 21 foot both with little rocker. The boat also seems quite strong. Weather cocking and wind drift are sometimes issues depending on who is in the boat and on weight distrubution. These issues disappear with the placement of water ballast in the forward compartment, near where my lighter passengers are. Overall, it seems the boat is at its best with a minimum payload of about 350 pounds, and I beleive it would perform very well at the rated capacity of 700 pounds. There is a huge amount of storage in this boat if you have no center passenger. Hatches allow access into the end compartments, but the front access hatch is kinda small.

This is not a boat for tossing around, but is rock solid with big loads and active seas. With my family on board, I supply 80 percent of the power, and we are able to avg. 3.5 to 4 mph. With another strong paddler, the boat is capable of both high peak and average speeds.

Mine is reported to weighs about 70 pounds, and at 21 feet, most folks will need another adult to get it on and off of the roof rack, something to consider if using it with kids. Consider that the boat has extremely high volume - experienced paddlers looking for a sportier ride might look into CLC's new 22' sport tandem, which is narrower and lower volume. The Triple is NOT suitable for solo paddling. Also consider that with such high volume, this boat would be more difficult to empty if it ever swamped. I am currently considering putting in an emergency electric bilge pump system.

I also have had the chance to SAIL this boat at a Chesapeake Light Craft event in Annapolis, Maryland. CLC sells a sail rig and outriggers that turn their kayaks into sailing trimarans that can be quickly disassembled. What a nice ride! Stable as bedrock, swift in light air, a real nice cruiser, but needs a huge rudder to turn. CLC suggested building the rudder in the sail rig plans rather than using commercial rudders. A sail rig is on my wish list for this boat.

3

I purchased my Chesapeake…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 9/4/2001
I purchased my Chesapeake Triple at the East Coast Festival in April. At that time I asked what the weight of the boat was and was told 65 lbs. I bought the boat with the expectation of building a 65-67 lb. boat. When the kit arrived the plans stated that I was building a 78 lb. boat. I was not impressed. I spent a lot of time reducing the hull to 70 lbs. but still could not reduce it to the previously stated 65 lbs.

My son and I are 6 ft. 4 in. tall and have a great deal of difficulty entering and exiting the cockpit openings. After the boat was finished and I sent my Cheasapeake return card to the factory the customer service rep. called and said that any cockpit size can be made for $50. Well it was to late by that time. My boat is "For Sale"

5

Great Co., great quality,…

Submitted by: paddler228974 on 10/23/2000
Great Co., great quality, great outcome. Building my kayak was an experience I can't wait to do again. CLC makes it so easy. I couldn't be happier with the quality or performance.
Chesapeake Double Kit
by Chesapeake Light Craft
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