GLEN JUSTICE

It's a common fantasy: build the boat and sail away.

It's common wisdom: start small and learn, when it comes to building.

Chesapeake Light Craft provides the plans and parts to do both. The company's catalog runs to 62 pages, with dozens of boats that range from kayaks and paddle boards to dinghies — even an "Pocketship" 15-foot cuddy cabin sailer.

The Eastport Pram, pictured under construction (above) and finished (below), is a great example of a stitch-and-glue project that Chesapeake Light Craft makes possible. Plans for the pram cost about $69 and a full kit is $879.

A skilled builder might do it in 40 to 50 hours, according to the company, while it may take a novice closer to 80 hours. They were building the pram pictured above at the show.

The result is a beautiful 7-foot, 9-inch rowing tender that is capable of taking a small outboard engine and can be fitted with a sailing rig — not bad for less than a grand and a couple days of work.

Take a look at some of the finished products...

GLEN JUSTICEThe compleated Eastport Pram with sailing kit.

GLEN JUSTICEThe Passagemaker Dinghy is 11 feet, 7 inches and $1,175 for the kit.

GLEN JUSTICEChesapeake Light Craft's Wood Duck kayaks come in a variety of models and prices.

GLEN JUSTICEThe Pocketship is 18 feet 6 inches LOA and takes about 525 hours. The kit is $3,350.