I’m excited to begin my next kayak-building adventure: crafting Rob Macks’ Mystic Star, a 17-foot strip-built baidarka sea kayak from Laughing Loon Kayaks©. And of course, the project wouldn’t be complete without building his signature Aleut  paddle to go with it. I just received Rob’s full set of materials—DVD, building instructions, drawings, and books—and I’m ready to dive in. It’s shaping up to be the perfect winter project to keep the cold-weather blues away.