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I built a red Skeena using the “Leather Iron”, and it was a ton of fun to make. The instructions were great and it went together very well. I took it pretty slow and just did a bit each evening for a couple weeks and weekends. I really want to thank both Matt and the forum members (especially Bruce) for all the great descriptions and information. I installed the zipper, which was really useful for finishing it off and adding glue to seal up potential leaks at the seams.
After I finished the Skeena, a friend mentioned that he had a V2 kit that he never built and wanted to give to me, so I also built a yellow V2. Building the V2 kit showed me how much the techniques have advanced between the time of the V2 and the Skeena (a 4th generation boat). The Skeena was much easier to build and I feel like it was easier to build well than the V2. For the V2, I opted for a single-layer floor and used the extra material to make a seat in the Skeena style. I like how that thinner floor lets the boat roll up easier and it feels a good bit lighter than the Skeena. If I was going to do a rock-scraping creek trip, I’d bring the Skeena for sure, but for flatwater the V2 with single floor seems totally good. Both boats took about two weeks to build (a month total time). I didn’t keep track of hours, but I think Matt’s estimate is pretty accurate.
My daughter and I have made a number of day trips in the boats, which are really fun to paddle and so easy to bring anywhere. The Skeena is longer and feels like it tracks better and is faster. We haven’t been in whitewater yet, but the bow volume of the Skeena seems larger and like it would keep you from nosediving. I really like how the Skeena’s floor at the stern goes much further back than the V2’s floor did and think that would make it much tougher if you got into some shallow water.
People ask about the boats a lot and were very excited about them, so I decided to give them a “DIY” brand where some other boats have their logos.
I would definitely recommend building one to anybody who likes to make things. Building them without time constraint also makes it relaxing rather than stressful. I was skeptical about the zipper, but totally think it is worth it in hindsight. My next kit will be a two-person. Thanks for the great kits!
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