Hi Gil,

Listen to these guys!! I decided to make my own after borrowing a friends. I just had to have a boat, but didn't want to spend the money. I did not have a computer at the time, so all of this was not available to me.

I decided to build my own out of my head. Well...I used regular plywood for station frames, a preasure treated 5/4 board, cut into strips for stringers, and some old, old fiberglass cloth pieces for skin.

I used a bicycle rim with no spokes for a combing, and the cheapest epoxy I could find.

To make a long story short, I ended up with a 12 foot long boat, that had about a three foot beam, and weighs close to 70 lbs. It does float, and can be paddled, but it sure as hell ain't pretty. Now it lays next to the barn, getting lost in the long grass. Probably inhabited by mice and bees.

So do your self a favor, and think twice about buying a set of plans, or at least lofting some out of a book as Paul suggested. I built a very nice sea kayak using luan plywood for less than $300.00 U.S.

Now, this may sound like a lot of money to you, but it's better than spending at least that much, and ending up with a non-functional craft. Espeacially if you're going in the ocean. Ya gotta think safety too.

Whatever you decide to do, good luck. And keep us posted.

SYOTW,

Rick C.