# West River 18 questions

**URL:** <https://forum.clcboats.com/t/west-river-18-questions/34291>\
**Category:** Builder's Forum\
**Created:** [July 18, 2008, 2:41pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/west-river-18-questions/34291 "2008-07-18T14:41:28Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Josh\_Ormsby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/eada6e/32.png) [@Josh\_Ormsby](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Josh_Ormsby)\
**Post date:** [July 18, 2008, 2:41pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/west-river-18-questions/34291/1 "2008-07-18T14:41:28Z")

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I'm planning to build my second kayak this winter and I have some questions about the West River 18.&nbsp; I'm happy with my CLC 17lt, with regards to handling and size, but I would like something faster.

Can anyone who has paddled the West River 18 compare it to the new Shearwater 17 or the Petrel (i know it's not s+g).

&nbsp;

Thanks,

Josh&nbsp;

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**Author:** ![John\_Eckart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c4cdca/32.png) [@John\_Eckart](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/John_Eckart)\
**Post date:** [September 14, 2008, 10:25am UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/west-river-18-questions/34291/2 "2008-09-14T10:25:49Z")

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I can’t compare it to the two you mentioned, but I built my WR18 a few years ago and I love it.&nbsp; It is very fast, tracks very well and handles any sea conditions with no problems.&nbsp; I have not had any boats paddle past me, with the exception of the racing type kayaks.&nbsp; The only issue I have had with it is that it is difficult to turn in the surf.&nbsp; It really needs to be leaned hard to turn quickly and even then at times it is not quick enough.&nbsp; I have been washed up on the beach sideways a few times 🙂

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Josh\_Ormsby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/eada6e/32.png) [@Josh\_Ormsby](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Josh_Ormsby)\
**Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 1:59pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/west-river-18-questions/34291/3 "2008-09-15T13:59:14Z")

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Jae, thanks for you input.

Did you put a rudder, skeg or "none of the above" on it? I built my 17lt with a skeg, but I've almost never used it.&nbsp;

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**Author:** ![John\_Eckart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c4cdca/32.png) [@John\_Eckart](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/John_Eckart)\
**Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 12:37pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/west-river-18-questions/34291/4 "2008-09-17T12:37:10Z")

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Neither rudder nor skeg.&nbsp; I would say it certainly doesn’t need a skeg.&nbsp; A rudder might be handy at times to turn quickly, but not necessary.