Begun in a basement in Arlington, Virginia, in 1991, Chesapeake Light Craft supplied at first plans for kayaks, and shortly thereafter complete kits. In the 1990’s Chesapeake Light Craft designs were featured in a series of widely read books and articles by founder Chris Kulczycki, who helped expand CLC’s mission to offer high-performance kayaks that were easy to build. John C. Harris joined the company in 1994 and in 1995 set up CLC’s first kit manufacturing facility at our current location on George Ave. in Annapolis, Maryland.
Embracing computer technology in the mid-1990’s, CLC’s line of boat kits expanded quickly. To meet the exploding demand, in 1997 a custom-built industrial-scale computer numerical controlled cutter was installed at a cost of over $50,000---the first kit company to be so equipped.
In December 1999 John C. Harris purchased the company and Kulczycki moved on to other pursuits. As CEO, Harris embarked on a successful expansion program that included new---and wildly popular---rowing and sailing craft, vastly upgraded instructional materials including videos, a busy boat show schedule in the United States, more boatbuilding classes, and overseas dealerships in Japan, Australia, the UK, and France. In addition, he has pursued alliances with other companies who benefit from CLC’s singular expertise in boat kit manufacturing, including WoodenBoat Magazine, the WoodenBoat School, Guillemot Kayaks, Shearwater Boats, and the United States Naval Academy, among others.
Numerous companies utilize our CAD/CAM technology for manufacturing projects. CLC also has a sideline in corporate team-building projects, with a client list that includes the Harvard Business School, Outward Bound Professional, the World Bank, Monument Realty, and other large organizations.
Currently CLC employs around 13 full-time employees at our Annapolis showroom, classroom, office, and factory. In 2009 we installed our third CNC machine, a 10-foot by 20-foot monster.
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