Petrel Play SG - New Build Series

The following transcript was generated by YouTube and then formated by ChatGPT, It may not exactly match what I said during the video, but should get the gist.

Launching  
Good morning! Welcome to the Guillemot Kayaks Workshop. It's been a while since I've done a video for you guys. In the past, my videos have always documented builds for customers, providing valuable information. However, the way I build the boat for a customer may not be the easiest for a first-time builder.

I aim for a specific look based on the customer's expectations, and while the techniques are useful, they might not be the easiest for beginners. Recognizing this, I've long wanted to do a video specifically for the YouTube audience. In this case, you guys will be the customers, and I want to build a boat specifically for you.

In this upcoming build, we'll be constructing the boat I'm currently paddling, the Petrel Play SG. It's a Stitch and Glue design, and for this project, I talked to Chesapeake Light Craft (CLC) about getting a kit. They make kits for all my designs with pre-cut pieces on the CNC machine, including stitch holes for easy assembly.

They supplied me with a kit, and we'll be building the boat from it. This is an excellent opportunity for a beginner boat builder to learn the process and gain experience with different aspects of boat building. I'm excited to show you the instructional build process, and in this case, you, the viewers, are the customers. The finished product will be the video itself, allowing you to see how the boat comes together.

I've had a long-standing collaboration with Chesapeake Light Craft, and they've been making kits for all my designs.

Design Discussion  
Basically, for every boat you've seen me build, you can get a kit from Chesapeake Light Craft to build that boat yourself. My primary interest has always been in encouraging you guys to build your own boats. By documenting my builds, I've aimed to make it possible for you to see some of the building process. In this case, we'll be starting with a kit, making it super accessible.

Chesapeake Light Craft supplied me with a kit for the Petrel Play, which is still my design. So, you can build one of my boats yourself using this kit. If you're not into building from a kit, I also have plans available, allowing you to build this boat from scratch.

Now, let's talk about the Petrel Play, my original prototype designed and built around 2009. Despite enduring hard use, including bouncing off rocks and getting scratched up, it remains a fabulous boat. In the Stitch and Glue construction, it's expected to weigh around 40 lbs. Let me take you outside for a better look.

The Petrel Play is 14 ft long, 23 in wide, with a roomy cockpit featuring adjustable foot pegs and thigh braces for stability. The design incorporates sides that fall away, providing a good catch on the paddle stroke without hindering entry. The history of this design places it in the Night Heron family of boats, and you can find more information on my website.

So, whether you choose the kit or plans, you have the opportunity to build a boat that has a rich history and proven performance. Let's dive into the history and construction details of this fascinating design.

Design History

So, let's delve into the history of the Night Heron design. It's an 18-foot boat, 20 inches wide. I initially created it in strip-built form and later converted that design into a Stitch and Glue version. Some features of this design influenced the Petrel Play, such as the cutaway sides. In this particular model, I utilized a two-panel foredeck and a one-panel stern deck, with integrated thigh braces for added comfort.

This 20-inch wide boat boasts a continuous long hard shine from stern to bow, making it a fast and stable kayak. It handles well in various conditions, offering stability and a thrilling paddling experience. However, my paddling experiences revealed a challenge with shorter waves, causing the fairly flat panels on the bow to slam down and splash. The chine, though, provided a good control edge, enabling effective surfing.

The decision to switch from the natural color of the Akoum marine plywood to something more interesting was driven by my preference for aesthetics. Typically, to achieve an 18-foot length, plywood pieces need to be joined using a scarf joint, a process that can be tricky. Instead, I introduced puzzle joints when cutting kits with a CNC machine, creating an interesting feature.

The puzzle joints, while not my invention, became a distinctive aspect of the design. To further highlight these joints, I opted to stain them, adding a pop of color and accentuating the craftsmanship. While personal preferences may vary, this design choice provides a unique touch to the boat. The puzzle joints not only enhance visual appeal but also contribute to a strong structure with a long glue line.

After paddling the strip-built Night Heron for an extended period and enjoying its performance, I decided to design the Petrel. Crafted around 2004-2005, the Petrel aimed to offer a slightly shorter and more responsive alternative while maintaining the characteristics that made the Night Heron enjoyable. This transition marked the evolution of my designs, each contributing to a rich history of boat craftsmanship.

Petrel

The Petrel, in its strip-built form, is constructed using narrow strips of wood, approximately 3/4 inch thick. Comprising about 20 strips between bow and stern, this design aims to offer a familiar sight for those who have watched my previous videos. With cutaway sides, providing sufficient height in the knees for comfort, the Petrel is 17 feet long.

This strip-built version has more rocker, meaning the keel line has more curvature, making the boat deeper in the center. The bow just barely touches the water at each end, enhancing maneuverability and wave-riding capabilities. Unlike the Night Heron, the Petrel features a softer, rounder shape up front, allowing for smoother landings on waves.

In contrast to the continuous hard chine on the Night Heron, the Petrel incorporates a softer chine in the front for a gentler landing and a harder chine at the back for control. This design choice contributes to a more versatile and responsive paddling experience.

To make the Petrel more accessible to first-time builders, I created a Stitch and Glue version. The Stitch and Glue Petrel SG maintains the overall shape of its strip-built counterpart, with a few key differences. The front panel in the SG version is one piece of wood, simplifying the construction process compared to the 20 individually fitted strips in the strip-built version. The chine is split into two in the front, creating a multi-chine effect that approximates the rounded shape of the strip-built Petrel's soft chine.

I also introduced a composite version of the Petrel Play, crafted by Joey at Turning Point Boat Works. The composite version features a sleeker shape with rounded sections compared to the strip-built version. Interestingly, the strip-built and fiberglass versions share the same hull shape and overall design, with potential differences in deck outfitting.

Addressing a common concern about putting wooden kayaks in the water, I emphasize that these boats are built to be used. While they may be shiny and beautiful, the goal is not to create furniture but rather functional tools for enjoying the ocean. The lightweight nature of these boats—ranging from 35 to 45 lbs—makes a significant difference in performance. Despite potential scuffs and dings from use, the boats are designed to withstand these challenges, with wood protected by fiberglass and epoxy, and the finish covered with varnish. The benefits of lightweight construction outweigh the effort required to build these boats, providing a custom and high-performance paddling experience.

Petrel

The Petrel, when constructed in its strip-built form, utilizes narrow strips of wood, each approximately 3/4 inch thick. Characterized by about 20 strips between the bow and stern, this design is likely familiar to those who have followed my previous videos. Featuring cutaway sides that offer ample knee room for comfort, the Petrel stretches over a length of 17 feet.

In its strip-built version, the Petrel boasts more rocker, meaning a keel line with increased curvature, resulting in a deeper center. The bow delicately touches the water at both ends, enhancing the boat's maneuverability and wave-riding capabilities. Notably, the Petrel displays a softer, rounder shape at the front, facilitating smoother landings on waves.

Differing from the continuous hard chine found on the Night Heron, the Petrel incorporates a softer chine at the front for gentler landings and a harder chine at the back for improved control. This design choice contributes to a more adaptable and responsive paddling experience.

To make the Petrel more accessible to first-time builders, I developed a Stitch and Glue version known as the Stitch and Glue Petrel SG. While maintaining the overall shape of its strip-built counterpart, the SG version introduces key differences. The front panel in the SG version consists of a single piece of wood, simplifying the construction process compared to the 20 individually fitted strips in the strip-built version. The chine in the front is split into two, creating a multi-chine effect that approximates the rounded shape of the strip-built Petrel's soft chine.

I also introduced a composite version of the Petrel Play, crafted by Joey at Turning Point Boat Works. This composite version features a sleeker shape with rounded sections compared to the strip-built version. Interestingly, the strip-built and fiberglass versions share the same hull shape and overall design, with potential differences in deck outfitting.

Addressing a common concern about placing wooden kayaks in the water, I emphasize that these boats are purpose-built for use. Despite their shiny and beautiful appearance, the goal is not to create furniture but rather functional tools for enjoying the ocean. The lightweight nature of these boats, ranging from 35 to 45 lbs, significantly enhances their performance. While they may incur scuffs and dings from use, the design ensures they can withstand such challenges, with wood protected by fiberglass and epoxy, and the finish covered with varnish. The benefits of lightweight construction outweigh the effort required to build these boats, providing a customized and high-performance paddling experience.

Why the Petrel Play?

The Petrel Play, with its 14-foot length and 23-inch width, falls into the category of a sea kayak, making it longer and narrower than many recreational boats. The design offers notable stability for a sea kayak, even though it might not be the most stable choice for a recreational boat.

For sea kayakers accustomed to the idea that longer, skinnier boats are necessary to keep up with group speeds, the 14-foot length of the Petrel Play proves to be suitable for maintaining a typical group pace of 3 to 3.5 miles per hour. It impresses those transitioning from shorter recreational boats (10 to 12 feet) with its speed and efficiency in propulsion.

While longer boats do have the potential for higher speeds, the Petrel Play emphasizes that speed is more dependent on the paddler's strength than the boat's length. Achieving higher speeds requires a strong and fit paddler, and the benefits of longer kayaks become more apparent during prolonged, high-intensity paddling.

The Petrel Play excels in tide races and allows paddlers to catch surf without requiring excessive strength, thanks to its manageable handling. The stability it provides instills confidence, making it suitable for paddling in challenging conditions where relaxation and enjoyment take precedence over concerns about capsizing.

For beginners or those seeking relaxed paddling in calm conditions, the Petrel Play's shorter length makes it easy to handle and navigate tight spaces. The 23-inch width ensures stability, allowing paddlers to focus on the surroundings without worrying about unexpected swims.

For those aspiring to venture into rougher conditions and improve their skills gradually, the Petrel Play serves as an enabling platform. It provides a safe and comfortable starting point, growing with paddlers as their experience and skills advance.

Dedicated and hardcore paddlers engaging in activities like rock gardening, tide racing, or surfing will appreciate the Petrel Play for its responsiveness. The design ensures that the boat complements the paddler's intentions, minimizing the effort required to achieve desired maneuvers. Instead of wrestling with the boat, paddlers can concentrate on having fun and enjoying their time on the water.

Regardless of skill level, the Petrel Play is presented as a versatile and enjoyable kayak. Plans are available directly from the creator's website, with a link provided below, and kits can be obtained from CHesapeake Light Craft (CLC), also linked for convenience. The series promises an engaging exploration of the Petrel Play, and the invitation is extended for paddlers to build and experience the joys of kayaking with this well-crafted design.