Its been almost 2 years since I embarked on the Solace 17EX project. With no previous build experience your kit and manual enabled me to experience the thrill of creating and paddling my own art/craft project. I launched the boat about 6 months later and whereas the build process was exciting, it pales into insignificance when compared to the blast of paddling this boat! Its been around the SF Bay, Tomales Bay, out beyond the Golden Gate on numerous occasions, around Alcatraz and Angel Island – and always rock solid. The Solace is a beautiful boat and never fails to draw compliments on the water, in the parking lot – even driving home one day I had some one honk and give the boat a thumbs up. Enclosed you will find a few photos. Sorry it took so long to get back to you.
Regards,
Christian
I built your Waters Dancing kayak Lightning 17’ in 1998. I started in mid June and finished in late August. Since I had never been in a kayak until I’d built mine, I had nothing to compare it to. I then purchased a 19’ P***y – ***** *********- boy, what a difference. Mine is much more stable with the multiple chine design. The P***y is a single hard chine and quite tender. It’s like a lot of things in life, if you don’t try things out you don’t know what you’re missing. In this case I made the right decision first! (Now I let other people use the P***y.)
Best regards,
Bill
Victoria, B.C.
Guys;
Just finished today. Had to share this with you.
Thank you so much for your help along the way!
Bill Clark
Edson, Alberta
Hello from Norway.
Here are some pictures from one of the builders that I visited. They all say that they are very pleased with their kits. Tellevik is pictured assembling the Solace 16 XL. The other picture is showing me together with Sindre Tellevik.
Have a nice weekend.
Best Regards,
Bjorn Vigeland
Hello,
I just wanted to let you know how pleased I am with the Solace 18EX that I built almost two years ago. When a kayaker friend of mine was interested in getting a new boat I recommended the 17EX to her. She took my advice under one condition … that I put it together for her. I got the kit in October and I just wanted to share with you the finished product. I think the Solace design is a great product that fits a lot of intermediate and experienced kayakers.
Since the water in the local area is frozen at the moment, the maiden voyage has been postponed until further notice.
I am attaching a few pictures of the new Solace 17EX so that you may see how it turned out and put them on your site if you wish.
In total I build ten kayaks. I have enjoyed them all, but the Solace 18EX once saved my life.
It was a race on the Potomac after a storm, the river reached flood stage and one hundred thousand cubic feet per second current.
Some kayakers (including racing boats) did not make it.
In an other race of 12.5 miles I came second (senior class ).
I do not race any more, but this boat makes me very comfortable in any weather conditions.
In my opinion it has the best of everything:
speed
comfort
stability
It's the most stable kayak I ever paddled even though it's only 22" beam.
Best Regards,
Boris Gozhansky
Silver Spring , MD