Ultralight precision precut plywood kayak and canoe kits. Est. 1955.
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Waters Dancing Lightning 14   

Lightning 14: Single touring kayak kit

Dimensions: 14’ long; 24.5” beam

Weight: 35 lbs.

*Building Time: 85 hours (approx.)

Joints: QuickLock Connector System

We price our kits in Canadian dollars.

The currency fluctuation changes the value of the Canadian and U.S. dollar by the minute making it impossible to give an accurate U.S. value.

If you have any questions about a kit price (U.S. funds) please e-mail or call us.

Prices and product specifications are subject to change without notice.

*Cost: $1,165.00 Cdn. Funds (Plus Shipping)

No state taxes. 

Waters Dancing pays the brokerage fees on kit orders to the US.

To compare the cost of our complete single person kayak kits to those of other kit manufacturers add approx. $157.00 US funds to their full kit prices.  This would be the cost of components we include for which others charge extra.
 

 

 

Description

The Lightning 14 is the perfect boat for day trips in standing water; and was designed for exploring winding creeks and rivers.  Though not as fast as the Lightning 17 and the Solace 16LT, she paddles beautifully in all conditions.  The smaller sister to our popular “Lightning 17”, this stable multi-chine kayak has similar positive tracking characteristics while at the same time is amazingly maneuverable. The lightning 14 features our exclusive QuickLock Connector System TM providing simple, attractive and very strong joints.  Beautifully contoured knee braces accent the “keyhole” cockpit design giving comfortable knee support for smaller paddlers, while 200 pounders will also find the spacious cockpit to their liking.  With two large hatches, the Lightning 14 is an excellent touring boat whether on open water or drifting down rivers with up to class III rapids.  At 35 lbs, this is a rugged performance boat that is easily car-topped and will carry weeks of gear.  I have paddled this boat in a wide range of situations and it’s becoming one of my favorites.

Customer Feedback

Dear Don,

I wanted to let you know how everything is going with the Lightning 14 recently purchased for my 15 yr old son.

After the kit arrived and was unpacked, I was pleased with the care and time taken in assembling all of the components of the kit. Everything was broken down into individual zip lock bags with an inventory sheet of the contents, making it easy to find. The schematic showing all of the numbered pieces made the inventory check a snap.

I have built several stitch and glue boats from both Pygmy and San Javier. While they have nice products, the Lightning 14 is the most complete kit that I have built so far. All of the extras that came with your kit are appreciated.

I was very pleased with the quality of the manual, the precision of the cuts and the logical progression of construction. Your manual is by far the best builder’s guide I have ever had the pleasure to follow. Whoever compiled the manual should get a raise!

All throughout the building process, I was amazed at how well and easily everything came together. The puzzle joints of the panels allow perfect joins and easy alignment of the hull panels. The temporary stations forms and puzzle joints ensured a hull that was fair and straight without the alignment problems experienced with other kits.

Overall, I am completely impressed with every aspect of your designs, helpful staff, ease of construction and value for my dollar. I look forward to building more of your designs in the future.

John Minor

 

Don,

I wanted to let you know my impressions of paddling the Lightning 14 that I built for my son recently.   After all of the final touches were completed, I had to take this little beauty out for a test run on our local reservoir, before presenting to my 15 year old son.

I was somewhat concerned about just how well my more than ample girth would fit into the cockpit, especially while wearing gumboots.  I was pleasantly surprised that despite the snug fit, the position and posture encouraged by the seat was secure and comfortable!

The initial stability is excellent; novice paddlers will feel confident and secure.  After a few brisk stokes, I was surprised at how beautifully this boat glides!  The handling is great; the hull responds very well to leaned corrections.  At 14 feet, this boat turns effortlessly with very few strokes required (unlike most of my bigger boats).

This boat is FAST!  It slides through the water with barely a whisper and is very easy to maintain an expedition pace without much effort.  I can’t help comparing it to the Golden eye 13 that my son had paddled (until he outgrew it).  While both are comparable in stability, the Lightning 14 is much faster.  The seat is also very easy on the backside. When paddling in heavy wind, the boat tracks true and handles wind waves with aplomb.

Overall, the Lightning 14 is a real winner!  My son loves the fact that he can easily keep pace with me, and that the boat does exactly what it is supposed to without any surprises.

Thank you for your good work!  

John Minor  

| Home | Boat Models | Letters | About WatersDancing | Contact Us | FAQ |
| Tools and Manuals | WatersDancing Advantage | Past Get Togethers | Price List | Choosing your WatersDancing Kayak Kit |
| Shows | Trips | Community Involvment | Why Wood? | Magazines | Photo Gallery | Building a North Lakes 19 | Hard Chine | Links