My name is Jim McDade. My wife, Susan and I have lived in Red Tail since January 2013. Several of our friends and neighbors, familiar with my hobby, encouraged me to share my journey of building, paddling, and sailing kayaks. 

My adventure began during the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many people, we were looking for ways to stay active and sane. One evening, we came upon a website featuring photos and videos of people kayaking around Schoodic Point near Acadia National Park in Maine. Inspired, we signed up for an upcoming event led by local guides and instructors, which was scheduled for September 2022. 

There was just one problem: we didn’t own any kayaks. Rather than settle for a big-box store model, I searched until I found the perfect vessel: a 16-foot folding kayak from Trak. Unfortunately, due to pandemic-related delays, it wouldn’t arrive in time.

As a Program Manager in the Aerospace industry, I’m used to working through challenges in supply chain, manufacturing, and fabrication.  Determined to make the trip happen, I decided to build my own kayak. I discovered a design on a website called Cape Falcon Kayak. It was a skin-on-frame kayak—an elegant, functional style rooted in traditional Arctic Inuit and Aleut designs. Using wood and nylon, guided by an excellent online course by expert Brian Schulz, I built not just one kayak, but two—one for myself and one for Susan.

Building the kayaks was just the beginning. As I trained by paddling around Lake Erie, I quickly realized how much more there was to kayaking safely, especially on large bodies of water. I invested in proper safety gear, took lessons from local outfitters, and committed to learning essential skills like wet exits, self-rescue, and navigation.

By the time our Maine trip arrived, I was both nervous and excited. Alongside a group of 35 paddlers—including skilled instructors—we explored breathtaking coastlines and faced high sea waves for five unforgettable days. One evening, during a group dinner, I had the chance to meet Nick Schade, a legendary boat designer and founder of Guillemot Kayaks. That conversation inspired my next project: building a high-performance wooden kayak called the Petrel Play.

This build was far more complex, combining wooden strips with fiberglass and epoxy. It took me eight months to complete, but the effort paid off. I was soon surfing waves, navigating rocky shores, and experiencing the ocean in a way I never imagined.

As I continued my journey, I met other enthusiasts, including Patrick Forrester of Falcon Sails, who helped me outfit my kayaks with sails, allowing me to cover longer distances with the help of the wind. I’ve now built several kayaks, each one deepening my connection to the craft and the water.

Ironically, the original Trak kayak finally arrived—nearly three years after I ordered it. But by that time, I had already become a builder, a paddler, a sailor, and a part of a vibrant, passionate community. 

If you see me around Red Tail with one of my kayaks, feel free to say hello. I’m always happy to talk shop, share what I’ve learned, or help someone begin their kayaking journey. You never know where a paddle—or a project—might take you.