KAYAK SPECIFICATIONS
Hull Specs - Hull weight is not the weight of a stripped hull, but the weight you can actually expect to have to lift onto your car. This weight includes deck rigging, footbraces, seat, and other typical fittings. Completed boats can be lighter or heavier depending upon options, construction techniques, wood density, and other variables.
Cockpit Size - Cockpit size refers to the opening in the cockpit coaming that is provided in the kit as standard equipment.
Recommended Paddler Weight - Recommended paddler weight should be considered a rough guide. The weight ranges shown will be comfortable, although as you reach the high and low limits other variables like height and shoe size become important. For tandem kayaks, paddler weight is the combined weight of all people.
Maximum Shoe Size - Maximum shoe size is expressed in men's sizes and assumes the paddler is shod in the usual neoprene booties. Larger sizes are sometimes possible at the cost of comfort. Custom cockpits are sometimes possible, call for details. See our shoe size conversion chart.
Maximum Payload - Maximum payload is the safe load of the boat and is not the same as the maximum paddler weight. A paddler who weighs near the maximum payload has a center of gravity too high for stability. Properly stowed gear, however, does not affect stability.
All shoe sizes on this website are in US Mens. Use the conversion chart below to find your equivalent shoe size. Please note that the conversions are not exact and different shoe manufacturers use varying systems of measurement.
| System | Shoe Size |
US & Canada | M
| 7
| 7.5
| 8
| 8.5
| 9
| 9.5
| 10
| 10.5
| 11
| 11.5
| 12
| 12.5
| 13
| 13.5
| 14
|
| US & Canada | W | 8.5
| 9
| 9.5
| 10
| 10.5
| 11
| 11.5
| 12
| 12.5
| 13
| 13.5
| 14
| 14.5
| 15
| 15.5
|
| Europe | M & W | 39
| 40
| 41
| 41.5
| 42
| 42.5
| 43
| 44
| 44.5
| 45
| 45.5
| 46
| 47
| 47.5
| 48.5
|
UK | M
| 6.5
| 7
| 7.5
| 8
| 8.5
| 9
| 9.5
| 10
| 10.5
| 11
| 11.5
| 12
| 12.5
| 13
| 13.5
|
UK | W
| 6
| 6.5
| 7
| 7.5
| 8
| 8.5
| 9
| 9.5
| 10
| 10.5
| 11
| 11.5
| 12
| 12.5
| 13
|
Australia & NZ | M
| 6.5
| 7
| 7.5
| 8
| 8.5
| 9
| 9.5
| 10
| 10.5
| 11
| 11.5
| 12
| 12.5
| 13
| 13.5
|
Australia & NZ | W
| 7
| 7.5
| 8
| 8.5
| 9
| 9.5
| 10
| 10.5
| 11
| 11.5
| 12
| 12.5
| 13
| 13.5
| 14
|
Japan | M
| 25
| 25.5
| 26
| 26.5
| 27
| 27.5
| 28
| 28.5
| 29
| 29.5
| 30
| 30.5
| 31
| 31.5
| 32
|
Japan | W
| 24.5
| 25
| 25.5
| 26
| 26.5
| 27
| 27.5
| 28
| 28.5
| 29
| 29.5
| 30
| 30.5
| 31
| 31.5
|
Mexico | M & W
| 5.5
| 6
| 6.5
| 7
| 7.5
| 8
| 8.5
| 9
| 9.5
| 10
| 10.5
| 11
| 11.5
| 12
| 12.5
|
Inches
| 9.9 | 10
| 10.1 | 10.3
| 10.5
| 10.7
| 10.9 | 11
| 11.1
| 11.3
| 11.5
| 11.7
| 11.9
| 12
| 12.1
|
Centimeters
| 25.1
| 25.4
| 25.7
| 26.1
| 26.7
| 27.1 | 27.6
| 28
| 28.3
| 28.7
| 29.2
| 29.7
| 30.2
| 30.5
| 30.7
|
Kayak Buying Guide
Here are a few considerations to help you select a kayak that's right for you:
Chesapeake 14
Build this boat if:
- You weigh less than 140lbs and are shorter than 5’6”
- You want a traditional touring kayak that’s nimble, fast, and comfortable
- You prefer a large cockpit and firm primary stability
Builders also looked at:
Shearwater 14 | Shearwater 16 | Wood Duck 10 | Wood Duck 12
Chesapeake 16LT
Build this boat if:
- You weigh between 125 and 175lbs and your shoe size is 10 or less
- You want a traditional touring kayak with excellent handling and a comfortable kayak
- You want nimble handling without excessive windage
- You prefer high primary stability
Builders also looked at:
Chesapeake 16 | Shearwater 16
Chesapeake 16
Build this boat if:
- You weigh between 140 and 195lbs
- You favor a large cockpit and strong stability in a traditional touring kayak
- Ease of construction is important
Builders also looked at:
Chesapeake 16LT | Chesapeake 17LT | Shearwater 17
Chesapeake 17LT
Build this boat if:
- You weigh between 140 and 220lbs
- You need the most versatile possible touring kayak
- Paddlers of varying weights might share this kayak
- You prefer speed and good handling in waves combined with a big cockpit
Builders also looked at:
Chesapeake 16 | Chesapeake 17
Chesapeake 17
Build this boat if:
- You weigh more than 200lbs or need a huge amount of storage space
- You need lots of extra legroom, knee room, and foot room.
- You need a high volume kayak that handles better than high volume plastic kayaks
Builders also looked at:
Chesapeake 17LT | Guillemot L | High Capacity Great Auk
Chesapeake 18
Build this boat if:
- You weigh more than 220 pounds
- You need a very large amount of storage capacity
- You need lots of extra legroom, knee room, and foot room.
- You want a large kayak that still handles will in wind and waves
Builders also looked at:
Chesapeake 17 | Guillemot L | High Capacity Great Auk
Chesapeake Double
Build this boat if:
- You want a high-volume touring double with high speed in all conditions
- You need a lot of storage for camping
Builders also looked at:
Chesapeake Triple |
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