Spring is here!

Hi there, and welcome to the latest Denman Marine newsletter.

Spring has arrived, the days are getting longer and, hopefully, the worst of the winter weather is behind us. For many of us, that also means it is time to get back into the workshop and start thinking about the projects we have been looking forward to over winter.

If a new boat has been sitting on your project list, now is a good time to get started. A spring build gives you the coming months to work through the project without rushing, with the prospect of having a new boat ready for the warmer weather ahead.

In this newsletter we take a look at getting that next project underway, choosing a suitable Chesapeake Light Craft kit and what you can expect when your kit arrives.

If there is anything you would like to discuss, query or order, please contact us via the contact form on our website.

Time to get your next project underway

Whether you are looking for a small kayak or canoe, a rowing boat, a sailing dinghy or something a little more ambitious, the Chesapeake Light Craft range offers projects to suit a broad range of builders, workshop sizes and available time.

You do not need to be an experienced boatbuilder to get started. Many of the designs are intended specifically with amateur and first-time builders in mind, using straightforward construction methods and detailed assembly manuals to step you through the build.

The other advantage of starting now is time. Rather than trying to rush a project before summer hits, you can work through each stage properly, enjoy the build and still have the warmer months ahead to put your finished boat to use.

Take your first step with a kit

One of the hardest parts of any project can be simply getting started. A Chesapeake Light Craft kit removes much of the initial measuring, marking-out, cutting and material sourcing while leaving the actual boatbuilding firmly in your hands.

The marine plywood components are accurately CNC cut, with solid timber components dimensioned and shaped where applicable. The vast majority of kits include almost everything you need to assemble a completed vessel, however for further information about what is included in our kits, please see here.

Once the kit reaches your workshop, the satisfying part begins. You will still be assembling the hull, stitching and gluing panels, making epoxy fillets, applying fibreglass, fitting timber and hardware, sanding and applying the final finish.

For a first-time builder in particular, starting with accurately cut parts lets you concentrate on learning the construction process rather than worrying about whether you have transferred and cut every component correctly.

Our kits are available in different configurations depending on the design. Base or Full Kits provide the most complete package, while Wood Parts Only kits are available for builders who would like to save time with pre-cut components but prefer to source their own epoxy, fibreglass, and hardware etc. Plans and manual packages are intended for builders with some experience and would prefer to start from scratch.

What will you build this spring?

The right project does not necessarily have to be the biggest or most complicated boat you can fit in the workshop. In many cases, a smaller project that suits the time and space you have available can be far more enjoyable.

If this is your first build and you are hesitant to dive straight in to a more complex project, designs such as kayaks, canoes and smaller rowing or sailing boats are a good place to begin. They let you become familiar with stitch-and-glue construction, epoxy and fibreglass before tackling a larger project.

More experienced builders might be ready to take on something larger, or perhaps finally start the design they have been considering for the last few years.

Whatever you have in mind, have a browse through the range. If you are having trouble narrowing it down, get in touch and let us know what you want to do with the boat, how much space you have and what sort of build appeals to you. We are always happy to point you towards a few suitable options.

$100 OFF CLC Kits

To help get that next project out of your head and into the workshop, we are offering $100 off eligible Chesapeake Light Craft kits throughout September.

With spring underway and the warmer months ahead, now is a great time to get started. Order your kit, clear some space in the workshop and make this the season you finally build that boat (or camper).

Use the coupon code KIT100 during checkout until the end of September.

Head over to our Chesapeake Light Craft range to find your next project, or contact us if you would like some help choosing a suitable design.

Denman Marine is Chesapeake Light Craft's Australian and New Zealand agent for their fantastic range of DIY kits. There is a huge selection of over sixty designs, including kayaks, canoes, rowing and sailing boats and even a teardrop camper. Be sure to head on over to our Chesapeake Light Craft page to grab a bargain on your next project. Below you can find a few recent examples of what our builders have been up to.

Contact Us

Please feel free to contact us at any time via our contact form to discuss your next boat or project.

Any prices listed are in Australian Dollars.

® Denman Marine 2026
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