Chesapeake Kayaks

Chesapeakes are built to endure a lifetime of strenuous touring with 4mm-okoume plywood hulls and decks, both sheathed with fiberglass.

Watertight bulkheads are standard, as are hatches, deck rigging, adjustable footbraces, and a comfortable seat. One reason so many builders prefer the Chesapeakes is their flexible architecture, unique among kit boats. Experienced builders may customize every part of the boat above the waterline, whether building from a kit or plans.

Please note, the Chesapeake single kayak plans do not include full size patterns for every component. Most of the smaller components are full size patterns, however the planking is specified in measurements at stations that is easily transferred to plywood.

More than 7000 Chesapeake-series kits have been shipped over the last 16 years. An enduring favorite among paddlers, the award-winning Chesapeakes are the gold standard for build-it-yourself sea kayaks. They are easy to build but handsome and fast. High-volume bows lift you over rough seas – or powerboat wakes – while the skeg-like stern prevents weather-cocking in blustery winds. CLC’s signature cambered decks shed spray, increase the storage space inside the hull, add strength without weight, and look great. Chesapeake kayak builders explore quiet local rivers and paddle the length of the Sea of Cortez. They are used in expeditions above the Arctic Circle and for day paddling in Florida. Chesapeakes are built in garages, apartments, living rooms, television studios, and in at least 50 countries from Iceland to Australia.

Large storage compartments will absorb enough gear and water for long, unsupported expeditions. Cockpits are large and easy to pad out for a custom fit. The big, comfortable cockpit is an ideal spot to spend a lazy afternoon if multi-week expeditions aren’t your speed.

Individual kayak fit is very important, so there are six singles, two doubles, and a triple to choose from. The 16LT and 17LT are standard Chesapeake 16 & 17 hulls with lower decks and sides, reducing total volume by 20% for a sleeker, more compact kayak.

Whats included in a kit?

Chesapeake 14

Small sea kayaks are often just cute versions of larger, more serious boats. The Chesapeake 14™ is a serious kayak in its own right, designed specifically for kids and small-statured adults who don’t want to be left behind by the big boats. Hundreds of builders have registered delight at the Chesapeake 14’s combination of speed, stability, and tracking.

Six young teenagers were given the chance to paddle and then review the Chesapeake 14^TMamong a fleet of 6 other kayaks; “The entire team commented positively about this boat’s comfort . . . All of the team found the Chesapeake 14™ to be very stable . . . Everyone agreed that this was the fastest kayak of those tested . . .” – Sea Kayaker, June 2001

Chesapeake 17LT

The Chesapeake 17LT has been our most popular kit for ten years now. The 17LT was one of the earliest variations of the original Chesapeake 17 model.  We took the Chesapeake 17’s beautiful lines and trimmed about 20% of the volume out of the hull for a sleeker, low-windage hull with the same great speed and tracking of the original.  In a nutshell, the Chesapeake 17LT is a terrific all-round sea kayak, combining stability and cockpit comfort with above-average speed.  Of our many kayaks, the 17LT has the broadest paddler weight range.  Folks from about 130 pounds all of the way up to around 220 pounds will be able to paddle the 17LT in all conditions.  A great kayak for lazy Saturday afternoons, yet it has the volume for serious multi-week expeditions and among our easiest-to-build boats.

Chesapeake 17

The Chesapeake 17^TM is one of our most popular kits, with over a thousand built. Its handling qualities and speed combined with a large cockpit and voluminous stowage make it one of the most capable touring boats around.

Sea Kayaker magazine (June 1999) allowed three people to review the Chesapeake 17; “‘I really enjoyed paddling the Chesapeake and found I covered distances easily. It was fun playing around in rough, confused waters. Its stability would lend it to extended touring, fishing and photography. Beginners would love it and be able to grow with it” (MM). “I thought the steering. tracking. and balance of the boat in the wind were a very good combination. The boat feels big, but it is nimble enough to be a fun performer” (TE). “This boat has an excellent cruising design with a nice combination of nimbleness and storage room. The combination of moderate initial stability and strong secondary, and its lack of weathercocking make this an excellent boat for beginners to learn sea kayaking. even advanced skills’ (KW) . . .”

Chesapeake 18

There are very few “big and tall” sea kayaks designed specifically for folks who need leg room and capacity but don’t want to compromise on performance. The Chesapeake 18 has filled that niche for over 10 years now and offers all of the speed, tracking, and comfort that distinguish the entire Chesapeake line: even a 6’5″, 270-pounder will find the 18 nimble and comfortable.

“The Chesapeake [18] was easy to paddle, was faster than most of us expected, and had surprisingly good primary stability for a hard-chine boat . . . ” – Canoe & Kayak, July 1998

Chesapeake Double

The Chesapeake Double and Triple are high-volume touring boats, with a 700lb payload that belies their surprising speed. Even though these are substantial boats for serious expeditions, they are also comfortable day-trippers for families or couples. Our Chesapeake Double offers the back-country paddler expedition-worthy storage and the speed to cover 35 miles in a day.

As in the other Chesapeake variants, the Double and Triple are built solidly, with epoxy and fiberglass on the inside, outside and deck of the 4mm okoume hull. For safety, watertight bulkheads are standard. The cockpits are deep and snug, with the standard Rapid Pulse backbands offering excellent lumbar support, while the cambered deck affords plenty of paddle clearance.

Both the Double and Triple make terrific base hulls for the CLC SailRig, having the volume and waterline length for fast and efficient “beach cruising.”

Chesapeake Sport Tandem

There was a lot of demand but hardly anything like it in 2002 when we unveiled the Chesapeake Sport Tandem. This very narrow, very fast double is perfect for athletic couples who want to really cover the miles, whether it’s for exercise, super-fast touring, or winning races. Most of our Sport Tandems are sold to people who watched one disappear over the horizon in front of them during a race. While intended for racing or working out, the Sport Tandem can still carry a good load of gear, making it ideal for multiple-day unsupported races like the Watertribe Everglades Challenge.

Chesapeake Sport Triple

The Chesapeake Triple can accommodate three adults, but we have found over the years that most paddlers will use the center cockpit for children or pets, or for light gear stowage with a cockpit cover snapped in place. The Triple’s ability to carry families with a couple of kids or dogs is a major attraction, but it’s too big to paddle singlehanded without auxiliary power unless it’s a glassy calm day.

The success of the proven Chesapeake hull shape led quickly to demands for similar tandem and three-person designs. The Chesapeake Double and Triple are high-volume touring boats, with a 700lb payload that belies their surprising speed. Even though these are substantial boats for serious expeditions, they are also comfortable day-trippers for families or couples. Our Chesapeake Double offers the back-country paddler expedition-worthy storage and the speed to cover 35 miles in a day.

As in the other Chesapeake variants, the Double and Triple are built solidly, with epoxy and fiberglass on the inside, outside and deck of the 4mm okoume hull. For safety, watertight bulkheads are standard. The cockpits are deep and snug, with the standard Rapid Pulse backbands offering excellent lumbar support, while the cambered deck affords plenty of paddle clearance.

Both the Double and Triple make terrific base hulls for the CLC SailRig, having the volume and waterline length for fast and efficient “beach cruising.”

Do you fit in the kayak?  Study our kayak fit chart.  

Model:	Length:	Hull Weight (kg):	Beam (cm):	Max Payload (kg):	Cockpit Size (cm):	Paddler Weight (kg):	Knee Height (cm):	Max. Men’s Shoe Size(US):
Chesapeake 14	14′ 0″ (4.29m)	16	53.5	80	78.5 x 43	30 – 60	26.5	8
Chesapeake 16LT	15′ 6″ (4.74m)	19	58.5	100	78.5 x 43	45 – 75	29	10
Chesapeake 16	15′ 8″ (4.77m)	19	60	120	78.5 x 43	55 – 80	31.75	13
Chesapeake 17LT	16′ 10″ (5.15m)	20.5	60	135	78.5 x 43	75 – 100	31	13
Chesapeake 17	17′ 0″ (5.18m)	20.5	61	150	78.5 x 43	80 – 115	31.75	14
Chesapeake 18	18′ 0″ (5.49 m)	22	62	160	78.5 x 43	95 – 125	33	14
Chesapeake Double	21′ 0″ (6.4 m)	29.5	76	320	78.5 x 43	135 – 270	35.5	14
Chesapeake Sport Tandem	21′ 8″ (6.6m)	29.5	56	215	78.5 x 43	115 – 180	30.5	13
Chesapeake Triple	21′ 0″ (6.4 m)	31	76	320	78.5 x 43	137 – 270	35.5	15