You can buy one ready-made, or pick up one of his fire pit kits to make your own.

The process is simple but time-consuming, mostly in keeping tolerances tight and adding layers of epoxy since materials and connections need to be burly. The extra labor makes the rewards of slicing through an untracked powder stash in the glittering backcountry all the more earned.

The eight panels in the hull of the Coho make it a multi-chine boat, sort of halfway between a strip construction and a four-panel hull. I really like the way the deck fits elegantly onto the hull — no screws or nails through the deck. I also like the more modern vertical stern and the classic Greenland bow shape. The hull is not too wide, but very stable, and the deck’s extra two panels create a shape that reduces the knocking of your knuckles when paddling.

The staff at Pygmy are very friendly and helpful, and the kit comes with a manual and all materials, including epoxy, fiberglass, and tape. I took a leisurely approach and spent 300 hours building it.

The Coho’s response and performance are impeccable. The only problem is that six people a day will stop and ask you questions about it. It can actually delay your leaving the beach!

Reprinted from Cool Tools, kk.org/cooltools

My assembly nearly complete, I can happily say the components, fit, and finish have not disappointed. My SQ2 has gone together smoothly and I can hardly wait to go flying.

The funky but comprehensive instructional videos show you the entire process — monkey-see, monkey-do — far better than a manual could. Greenlight provides a variety of board and fin templates to download and print, and they’re generous with email advice on esoterica like fin placement.

You can shape a board in a weekend, but plan on a week or two to glass it. I learned a ton and ended up with the fastest board in my quiver.