About a week ago I posted a notice on the bulletin board asking for advice and was literally overwhelmed with the response. Thank you all for the advice, words of encouragement, lively discussion etc. Clearly there is a lot of passion for both the experience of building boats as well as pride in the creative process. I also clearly heard some philosophical differences in approach. Guess that is why there sometimes aren't absolute answers. Frankly I didn't expect to find any "absolutes" in response to my previous post and hoped more for what I got in the discussion. After reading the lengthy thread and other messages I've come to a few conclusions:

-My first boat will be a strip kayak, narrowed the choice to the guillemot single or maybe an Endeavor 17 (though I weigh around 200 lbs....I'll have to read more)

-I'm not at all discouraged from the discussions, am really getting excited, but some of you guys need to just say what you mean and not be so shy (a little humor)

-I'm not going to study up on composite construction, though I will likely read an article or two, or look back to some of my own references. I am a structural/civil engineer as my day job, and I don't have either the desire or patience to spend my leisure time delving into the minute details. The boat will work or not, be strong enough or go to the scrap pile, either way I'll learn, enjoy the process, and be better off than if I didn't start.

-I'm going to continue reading the bulletin board, as I've learned a great deal in a short time.

Wish me luck! Again, many thanks for letting me into the lively discussion.