wood duck 12
Length: 12'
Width: 28"
Depth / Capacity: 14.5" / 350 pounds
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instant info about the wood duck 12
Application
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At 12' in length, the Wood Duck 12 is a deceptively larger-than-it-appears kayak. Our first experience with the Wood Duck was on Chesapeake Bay near Annapolis, MD. It was a blustery day with whitecaps and spray. The Wood Duck had no issues. This is a kayak that can go anywhere your skills can take you. Twisting streams, BIG open water, casual cruising -- there isn't anything that will trouble the Wood Duck 12. A good choice for camping due to storage space. An excellent sailing kayak.
Ease of Paddling
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The Duck is very stable. There's no learning curve to worry about. Jump in and go! The sharp bow coupled with a generous skeg at the stern insures great tracking. The very shallow arch hull and slight rocker allows for low effort maneuvering.
Comfort
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Several seating options enable matching personal comfort with proper paddling posture for optimal performance. It's fun to paddle in rough water (remember your spray skirt). Adjustable footrests relieve leg discomfort and increases driving power to the kayak. The roomy cockpit allows for changing leg positions, stretching and even hanging your legs over the side.
Features
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Stong grab handles at bow & stern. Several adjustable seat options. Two flotation choices. Easily adjustable footrests. Shallow arch hull for stability. A unique option is that of a carry yoke to enable long portages. The cockpit is large enough for a dog or fishing and easier than most to reenter in deep water.
Hand Laminated
weight and cost
KCH - 23 lbs - $2,495
IBKCH - 24 lbs -$2,595
Carbon - 19 lbs - $2,795
vacuum infusion
weight and cost
KCH - 23 lbs - $3,212
IBKCH - 24 lbs - $3,332
Carbon - 19 lbs - $3,569
The Kennyettto Creek - just outside the shop door at Slipstream
wood duck 12
Have you ever considered the fun of designing your own kayak? Slipstream offers a generous color pallet and liberal options list. Custom requests are not only possible, they're encouraged. Many paddlers have sat at our customer desk and used crayons and markers to color design their kayak.
You'll find the Wood Duck 12 to be a pleasure on small twisting streams or big open water. NOTE: The Kennyetto Creek is right next to the Slipstream shop. Kennyetto means "the snake that tried to swallow its own tail". Take a test paddle and decide for yourself about the Ganzer. And big water on Great Sacandaga Lake is six minutes away if you want to play on some 2'-3' waves. The Wood Duck performs well in most conditions.
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Inconsequential loading and unloading
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No need to limit paddling to a put-in only a few feet from where you park
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Loading or off-loading from your vehicle is a one person task
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Getting to and from the water isn’t a chore
Everyone at Slipstream is enjoying the amusement of creating playful color schemes. Creamsicle, Mint Chocolate Chip, Patriotic and more.
And imagine what you could create with hundreds of metallic colors -- although, metallics have a uncharge and add 1.5 pounds to the weight of the Ganzer.
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The Wood Duck 12 offers generous capacity for paddler, gear, dogs and more - and it doesn't bog down when loaded
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Take a few minutes to customize the Duck to your personal preferences - the Slipstream Team will make it happen!
at home in many conditions
and as a great sailing kayak
Falcon Sails and Slipstream have a close working relationship. Decide to sail and you'll have the best of both organizations working with you.
The Wood Duck 12 is a classic design from Chesapeake Light Craft - they produce wood kits of the Wood Duck. The Duck was modified a bit because composite construction is capable of shapes that can't be achieved in wood. Both boats are well liked.
The nitty gritty - otherwise known as the technical geek speak
laminate choices
one size does not fit all
KIS Keep it simple!
If you’re looking for a quick and simple choice that’s strong enough for most conditions and is at the most affordable price range, the Hand Laminated KCH (Kevlar Carbon Hybrid) will do the job. On the other hand, if you want to do a deeper dive, read on.
Some canoes will never strike a rock or submerged stump. Others will frequently scrape along on shallow streams and grind over beaver dams.
Still others may be the paddlers lifeline on remote, potentially hazardous, wilderness adventures. Slipstream offers construction options that will maximize the return on your investment in terms of strength and endurance while minimizing the weight penalty in pounds.
One of the Forest Rangers that paddles a Slipstream called to say “we didn’t paddle the Grasse River today”. Puzzled, we said we didn’t understand. He replied, “today we paddled rocks that had moisture on them”.
Scratches are part of the lifecycle of a canoe. Hull damage is unusual.
laminate options
KCH
A Kevlar & Carbon Hybrid that’s 50% Kevlar and 50% Carbon. Durable enough for most paddlers. Capable of taking occasional scrapes and bumps with rocks, beaver dams, etc.
IBKCH
An Innegra, Basalt, Kevlar & Carbon Hybrid. The most durable laminate Slipstream offers (other than Custom). Intended for paddlers who expect to challenge their boat on shallow rocky streams, backwater trips, beaver dams, etc. IBKCH is about a pound heavier than KCH depending on the model.
CARBON
Pure Carbon is lightest in weight but it is the most vulnerable to damage. Carbon boats are designed for deep water (floating rather than scraping rocks, etc.). Paddling over beaver dams and bouncing down shallow rocky streams will likely cause problems with a pure Carbon laminate.
vacuum infusion process (vip) vs
hand laminated
Hand Laminated
Hand Laminated hulls are just that — made by hand. The Slipstream method of hand laminating does not involve gel coat — gel coat adds considerable weight (3-7 pounds depending on model). Hand laminating requires an extremely high level of skill because the laminator is working blind and there is no gel coat to hide cosmetic blemishes. Hand laminated hulls are light in weight and tough enough for most paddlers. Resin is worked through the various materials (Kevlar, Innegra, Basalt, Carbon) by hand using brushes, rollers and squeegees. A good laminator can produce an ultralight yet reasonably strong hull.
Vacuum Infusion Process
Vacuum Infusion Process hulls are significantly different than hand laminated hulls. The resin to fabric ratio is better with VIP so the hull is noticeably stronger than hand laminated boats.
Cost for a VIP hull is higher than for hand laminated because of the requirement for extra materials in order to achieve the same degree of stiffness. The vacuum compresses the laminate more so than hand laminating. As a result, the laminate is thinner and not stiff enough to paddle properly. In order to achieve appropriate stiffness, extra layers of Kevlar, Innegra, etc. must be added to the laminate schedule. Each extra layer increases the strength of the hull yet the weight (due to the VIP Process) is the same or slightly less than hand laminated hulls. More layers equals more strength.
There are also increased supplies (costs) used (vacuum film, sealing tapes, flow media, peel ply, resin tubing, etc.) which are consumed in making VIP hulls.
Essentially, both methods of laminating are excellent when properly executed. Hand laminates will be less expensive and not quite as strong as VIP. VIP hulls cost more but offer a more hi-tech composite that is noticeably tougher.
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Headed to some tougher paddling - ask about reinforcing the hull
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Extra layers can be added to common wear points
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Typically at each end, and under the seat area
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Approximately 1 lb is added in weight, but you gain strength at the most vulnerable points
internal hull reinforcement
seating
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Along with color, eating is probably the most subjective of choices. What works for one body type doesn't suit another. Seat options are best determined through a demo paddle or by testing the comfort factor at our shop.
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The standard Touring Tall seat pleases most paddlers. For those who prefer a bit more luxury, the Extra Comfort Tall seat with a butt gel pack and an adjustable lumbar support is very popular.
Touring Tall
Has a nice tall back and small wings that provide support without restricting movement.
Cushion is adequate for most, although fishermen who spend several hours in the boat without moving much prefer the Extra Comfort Tall seat.
The seat back is easily adjustable to forward, vertical and aft leaning positions.
It is also adjustable forward and aft to compensate for added gear or a dog that may force the hull out of proper trim for optimal paddling.
Back Strap & Seat Pad
This is a minimalist set up.
It’s most popular with paddlers who portage their boat long distances or where weight is the most critical factor.
Back strap is adjustable and its comfort is acceptable.
The seat pad is minimal and sacrifices comfort for weight savings.
Easily adjusted fore and aft to adjust proper hull trim.
Comfort Low Back
Includes separate gel packs for each butt cheek.
The adjustable lumbar support makes long paddles much more relaxed.
Wide shoulder area cradles lower and upper back for maximum contentmentment.
Back support angle is fully adjustable from forward leaning, to vertical, to back leaning.
Easily moved fore and aft to adjust proper hull trim.
Comfort High Back
Includes separate gel packs for each butt cheek.
The adjustable lumbar support makes long paddles much more relaxed.
Wide shoulder area coupled with an even taller back cradles lower and upper back for maximum luxury.
The back support angle is fully adjustable from forward leaning, to vertical, to back leaning.
Easily moved fore and aft to allow for proper hull trim.
Bucket Style
On occasion, a paddler will ask for a permanently installed bucket seat.
It is available but has the disadvantage of being fixed in place which prevents it from moving fore and aft to adjust for proper hull trim.
Many paddlers have brought excellent boats, from other manufacturers, to our shop in order to have their fixed bucket seat removed.
They became fatigued at trying to balance hull trim with rocks or water bags.
flotation
Your kayak is nearly neutral buoyancy — it will barely float if completely filled with water. 10 - 15 pounds of non-buoyant gear is enough to sink the boat when fully swamped. Many boats leave Slipstream without added flotation. Some paddlers are quite creative using dry bags, extra PFDs and so on to provide needed flotation in the event of a capsize or swamping. Added flotation is safer and wiser.
flotation options
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An aft bulkhead provides considerable flotation in the event of a capsize. However, an airbag or foam wall in the bow will keep the swamped kayak level.
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Foam walls bow and stern are most popular for flotation.
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Air bags bow and stern also work well.
popular options and specials
Everyone at Slipstream enjoys responding to special requests.
The production Team has custom blended colors, added unique decals, engraved a family photo to the wood deck, created unusual seating applications and much more. We welcome your challenge.
unending options are available upon request
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Special Boat Wax
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Drink Holders
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Walnut Decks
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Removable Carry Handles
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Rowing Rigs
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Sail Rigs
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Fishing Accessories
And so much more - just give a shout and our team can assist in setting up your boat just the way you would like!
KIS OPTION (Keep It Simple) -- Wood Duck 12
Includes:
$2,575 Wood Duck 12 Hand Laminated in Kevlar & Carbon
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Your choice of color — that’s the only choice you still have to make - deck and hull may be different or the same
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Touring Tall Seat
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Adjustable Footrests
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Grab Handles
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Bungee Bridles on Bow and Stern Decks
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Foam Flotation Wall Bow and Stern
Don't loan your duck to someone
they'll never return it
"We of Chesapeake Light Craft were thrilled at the opportunity to create a composite Wood Duck 12. In converting one of our best-selling kayak kits of all time from stitch-and-glue to composite construction, we had to proceed with caution, as the Wood Duck's delightful handling qualities had to be preserved at any cost.
We think the result captures all of the Wood Duck's spunky good looks and efficient handling, and throws in a few fresh tweaks that are only possible in a mold-built hull. For example, we gave the hull a more prominent "skeg" in the stern for stronger tracking. We also introduced a touch of convexity into the hull sections to lower wetted surface and allow a stiffer-yet-lighter hull. We don't think the Slipstream Watercraft Wood Duck 12 gives up a bit of the plywood original's charm, and may in fact add to it"
John C Harris, CLC Boats
