# Wood Duck 12 launched in Corpus Christi, Texas **URL:** \ **Category:** Builder's Forum\ **Created:** [November 29, 2009, 1:59pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/wood-duck-12-launched-in-corpus-christi-texas/36067 "2009-11-29T13:59:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Larry\_Fisher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/eada6e/32.png) [@Larry\_Fisher](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Larry_Fisher)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2009, 1:59pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/wood-duck-12-launched-in-corpus-christi-texas/36067/1 "2009-11-29T13:59:11Z")
Well, yesterday was the maiden voyage for my first ever kit built kayak. I must say it was a real pleasure to paddle this boat and I probably had a grin the whole time I was out. Great design Eric and CLC. I learned two things with this kayak. Number one is that the perfect showroom varnish finish that I tried to obtain and never achieved does not really matter after dinging my boat at least twice yeserday. Once on the truck getting the boat off in a pretty stiff wind, and once when I landed after my paddling session. I grounded the boat on gravel an shells and well there is another ding. The second thing I learned is that you really do need a spray skirt when the water is anything but calm. I headed into 1 to 1 and 1/2 foot seas with the wind into my face and after a few waves I took one right over the bow that made my nether regions rather wet and cold. So, my next purchase will be for a spray skirt. If I could figure out how to post a picture I would do so, so that I could show my small amount of customization. I made my own latches for the hatch in back and used cocobolo because I like the contrast with the sapele. I also used cocobolo to make a small one fingered handle on the hatch so I could get a good grip and not loose it over the side should I need to get into the hatch while on the water. That's it. I believe my and my WD12 will be making many fishing trips starting next weekend. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mcinnis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f17d59/32.png) [@Larry\_Mcinnis](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Larry_Mcinnis)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2009, 2:22pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/wood-duck-12-launched-in-corpus-christi-texas/36067/2 "2009-11-29T14:22:24Z")
Lafisher, You can upload your photos here ([http://www.tinypic.com/](http://www.tinypic.com/)) for free and then copy the tag line for message boards [/IMG]jadoiubopuapoierhv[IMG] into the text of your post... will link to their website and your photos.  Just delete the [/IMG]'s before or after you post them (I copy the tags into a wordpad document while uploading them, then paste them into my post). Boat sounds great... I'm inclined to agree with you on those showroom quality finishes.  I want a nice looking boat but there has to be a cost-benefit medium in that equation, especially if you plan to use the boat! Larry ---
**Author:** ![Scott\_Kinkade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e19adc/32.png) [@Scott\_Kinkade](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Scott_Kinkade)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2009, 12:41pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/wood-duck-12-launched-in-corpus-christi-texas/36067/3 "2009-11-30T12:41:59Z")
Lafisher... Congratulations!  I look forward to seeing some pics when you can post them. My Wood Duck is still a few months away from the water, but I can tell you that I have become well practiced at the art of balancing care and utility.  I make an effort to protect my various "things" from nicks and dings, but when they do collect signs of use I don't worry about it! Enjoy the fishing... Scratch