Wood Duckling 8 Kit

The Wood Duckling's small size gives up nothing in sophistication or good looks. We considered making the kayak a few inches shorter than 8 feet so that it could be cut from a single sheet of plywood, but nope: that would make it too tubby. Obviously this isn't a kayak for sprinting, but the Wood Duckling will coast alongside Mom and Dad with little effort. It's got plenty of stability and the dry, water-shedding deck will keep them paddling well into the Fall (like our cheerful Maine models in the photos). Just like the grown-up kayaks, there is a proper watertight storage hatch to hide a change of clothes, snacks, action figures, beach toys, or even their fair share of overnight gear.

Build this boat if:

• You need a fun, inexpensive kayak for kids.
• You need a kayak that's fast enough to keep kids happy.
• You need a kid's kayak that's quick and easy to build.