Hi from Nova Scotia.

[Farback]

I’m excited to have found this forum. i was searching for others who had built a Kite canoe, as I’m just starting my build. I’ve built a number of kayaks and canoes over the past couple decades, and paddle both fresh and salt water here in Nova Scotia.

I’m a semi retired tech guy, still working part time to keep wood in the shop and stay engaged. I currently have two part time jobs, I’m a Commissionaire working for the local RCMP detachment. I also work for Calian several weeks each year as a military opposition force roleplayer for PLQ and BMQ courses on a nearby military base. I’m still an active volunteer firefighter with 35 years service. I’ll be turning 70 in the spring, so slowing down a bit on the pointy end of firefighting. More time for wilderness trips!

Kirk

 

[memaquay]

Hey Kirk, welcome! I'm originally from Nova Scotia too, my dad was in the airforce, stationed at Greenwood for many years. I'd be interested to know your favourite places in NS to paddle. I routinely used to do the Annapolis river, and had done it from the headwaters to Annapolis Royal. Last few times I was back, the river had warning signs on it about pollution or something. Anyway, lots of builders here, lots of build threads!

 

[Farback]

Hi Memaquay. I live in Wolfville, not far from the Greenwood base. We have a few DND firefighters from the base in my fire department.

My local go-to for an evening paddle is White Rock Pond, just a couple miles back from town. Great spot for a couple miles paddle with the group of bald eagles living there. I do a couple trips to Kejimkujic National Park for a night or two solo camping in my kayak. We rent a cottage for a couple weeks on Green Bay, near the LaHave Islands. I do a lot of salt water time there exploring the islands.

 

[stripperguy]

Kirk,
Welcome from upstate NY...
Yes, there is a proliferation of builders here, many lifetimes of experience to draw upon, many different perspectives and methods.
Since you clearly have the requisite experience, I'll skip any generic advice and get down to details.

I chose to build the Kite because my paddling preferences were changing, and the Kite seemed to be a near ideal compromise hull.
It handles any whitewater that I paddle, carries any loads of mine (me at 145 lbs and gear less than 35 lbs), and is fast enough. It's a dry boat too, and does not get twisted in big water and big rollers.
I strip built mine strong for rougher waters and paid the price with a 39 lb finished weight.
I promptly built a carbon copy at 28 lbs, which was better, but I could have gotten lighter yet with a better choice for the gunwales.

You'll find stripping the Kite is easier than you might think, there's some guidelines at Greenval's site, and also in whichever Kite build threads here.
Basically, just start at the crease, and the rest is easy. The Kite does have fairly wide, blunt stems that are best built with at least an inner stem.
You'll eventually find that the hull is very sensitive to fore-aft trim, best to include some sort of adjustable seat.

That's all I've got for now...

 

[Gamma1214]

Welcome to the site, Kirk. Always nice to see another builder in the fold and I'll look forward to following along if you decide to start a build thread.

 

[Boatman53]

Welcome to the campfire Kirk.
Jim

 

[memaquay]

I've built a few Ospreys, which is the same canoe as the Kite, but without the deck like knuckle. It is a good all around canoe. I've done my time in Wolfville, lol, in my younger years, was sort of an Acadia U student for a while before switching to Dal. Good times. Are you familiar with the Cornwallis River? My dad and I used to fly fish it for Brown trout, I can't really remember if it was big enough to paddle on.

 

[Farback]

My experience in the Cornwallis is as a recovery diver for the police. Unpleasant experiences. Is is navigable, but tidal.