The “Lu C”

“Lu C” (NCKW-1) is Cathy's kayak and our first NC-built boat. The name comes from "The Butcher Boy," a song by Gaelic Storm. “Now he never whistles / Every day, every day he sings / Ah la la diddle dee dum di diddle da / And every day, every day he sings / La da du diddle dee dum di diddle da.” There's a lot of love in this 12’ (tip to tip), wood-duck inspired kayak.

The Specs.

Deck: African Mahogany (from West Penn Hardwoods)

Accents: Purpleheart (from West Penn Hardwoods)

Stems: Ash (from West Penn Hardwoods)

Hull: Cedar (locally sourced NC Barn Post)

The Build.

Post was 12" x 12" x 8'.  We chainsaw milled into 1 1/2" thick slabs, and then ripped the slabs into 1/4" thick sticks.  I am involved in every step of this process. 

Oversized cockpit (32 x 19) features a custom seat and Purpleheart combing.  "Trunk" is lined with closed-cell foam for padding, as well as floatation.

With Love.

More than the hours spent crafting this boat, what mattered was realizing the dream of paddling with Uncas and Chingachgook.  We live near the lake where they filmed "The Last of the Mohicans" and it isn't hard to imagine hearing "The Gael" while you're out there!  Very few things are more beautiful than enjoying sunsets on the lake with the love of your life on a wooden boat.