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The Guillemot family of kayak designs grew out Nick Schade's quest to create a kayak to get out to the exposed islands off the coast of Maine. He wanted a boat that would be efficient for making open water crossings yet responsive when close to shore. Nick drew from a wide range of inspirations to create a dream boat. The responsiveness comes from the whitewater kayaks he was paddling at the time. The ability to cross open water was borrowed from Greenland Inuit kayaks.

The design that resulted is characterized by sweeping end shapes and a rounded cross section. The ends are kept fairly low to decrease windage but curl up at the tips to provide lift over waves. The relatively flat bottom and moderately soft chine provide an easy to turn platform while the fine ends provide balanced tracking.

The Guillemot designs are designed with somewhat loose tracking, for maximum responsiveness. If you give them free rein they may get away from you, but with practice you can simply think your way through a turn. A slight lean away will initiate a turn and you can stop it with a little lean the other way. With time the Guillemot becomes an extension of your body.

Guillemot

  The Guillemot is the boat Nick set out to create when he first named his boatbuilding and design firm "Guillemot Kayaks". Nick wanted a boat with good all-around performance for his own use. It needed to be "sporty" with quick acceleration...

Kits from $1876.25
Plans from $103.20

Guillemot "S"

  A simple scaling-down of the Guillemot creates a fun and able boat for smaller paddlers. This boat is efficient and easily paddled. Due to its narrow width it may be less stable than other boats you have paddled, but if you have been...

Kits from $1876.25
Plans from $103.20

Guillemot "L"

The Guillemot "L" is an enlarged version of the Guillemot. It is intended for larger paddlers who need additional room for their legs and feet. All dimensions have been increased by approximately 6%. In addition, Nick has added to the height of...

Kits from $1993.10
Plans from $103.20

Play

  If you are looking for a kayak for playing in waves and surf, this boat is a lot of fun. Its wide, flat bottom allows for quick turns and easy surfing. Its low volume makes it an easy roller, but it is wide enough to be stable as you...

Kits from $1898.10
Plans from $103.20

Expedition Single

With the same cross section and similar profile shape as the Guillemot, the Expedition Single has many of the same handling characteristics as the shorter Guillemot. The length of the Expedition Single provides volume for gear and efficient long...

Kits from $1937.05
Plans from $103.20

Fast Double

  Maximum speed and fun in a tandem kayak. The width is the same as the Expedition Single at 21 inches. This is narrow, but it gains great stability from its 25'6" length. This is a boat for a pair of experienced paddlers who want to paddle...

Kits from $2468.10
Plans from $103.20

Guillemot Double

  This design is an adaptation of Nick's successful Guillemot design features to a tandem kayak. It is a roomy, stable and comfortable boat. Nick drew the stern to easily accept a rudder but it is not required. The cockpits are quite far...

Kits from $2659.05
Plans from $103.20