About Chesapeake Light Craft

How it all started....



Chesapeake Light Craft began in a basement in Arlington, Virginia, in 1991. Chesapeake Light Craft (CLC) supplied at first plans for kayaks, and shortly thereafter complete kits. In the 1990’s Chesapeake Light Craft designs were featured in a series of widely read books and articles by founder Chris Kulczycki, who helped expand CLC’s mission to offer high-performance kayaks that were easy to build. John C. Harris joined the company in 1994 and in 1995 set up CLC’s first kit manufacturing facility at our current location on George Ave. in Annapolis, Maryland.

Embracing computer technology in the mid-1990’s, CLC’s line of boat kits expanded quickly. To meet the exploding demand, in 1997 a custom-built industrial-scale computer numerical controlled cutter was installed at a cost of over $50,000---the first kit company to be so equipped.

In December 1999 John C. Harris purchased the company and Kulczycki moved on to other pursuits. As CEO, Harris embarked on a successful expansion program that included new---and wildly popular---rowing and sailing craft, vastly upgraded instructional materials including videos, a busy boat show schedule in the United States, more boatbuilding classes, and overseas dealerships in Japan, Australia, the UK, and France.

In Nov 2010 CLC boats shipped their 20,000th kit - a remarkable achievement and a testament to the popularity of the designs and products.


Denman Marine/Chesapeake Light Craft Australia

CLC  boats has partnered with Denman Marine to produce and sell their large range of kit boats in Australia.  At Denman Marine, we are very excited to be representing CLC boats and customers here in Australia can buy a kit from us with the confidence of getting the best materials and professional advice to ensure your project is one you will truly enjoy.