> I have never buildt a Kayak before and I realy don't know where to start.
> What would be a good kayak for a beginer. From what I have read I'am
> thinking S&G??? I have some wood working experince and I'am not afraid to
> get my hands a little dirty.

Start with more books. Get the names and book reviews from www.amazon.com and then head over to the local library. If your library does not have the particular book you want, ask a librarian if they can get it from another library through an interlibrary loan. If you have all the data that Amazon.com provides ( author, title, publisher, date of publication and ISBN number) your librarian should be able to search out a copy for you, so you can read it for free.

If you really like the book, go buy a copy. Same thing if the library can't find it for you.

Stitch and glue is a fast way to get on the water. In addition to a place to work you'll need a few tools, some plywood, some fiberglassing materials, and paint or varnish. These are all commonly available.

Check this board for links to various companies and individuals who design stitch and glue boats so you can see stats on them, and check the price of the plans. There are some free plans available, too. Some are in books, some in magazines, and others are posted on webpages. For example Chris Kulczycki's book `The Kayak Shop' has reduced plans for building three different kayaks. And Nick has posted on this board the plans to a stitch and glue Guillemot.

Somewhere along the line you will decide you have done enough reading and that you have found the ideal boat for yourself. Go get the plans. Before buying the plans be sure you can get credit for them if you later decide to buy a kit ( which has the plnas with it) or that you can buy a kit for less without the plans ( which you will already have).

Read through the plans several times before you buy any materials. If you have specific questions, head back here and ask them, (or check the archives) before you pay for any products. There may be some money-saving tips you can use. If shopping for materials is a hassle, or some of the things specified in the plans are not available on the continent you happen to reside on, Strongly consider buying the kit. The people who draw and sell these plans have telephones. If you have questions, call them or e-mail them. If you have problems understanding the plans, strongly consider giving them to a friend and getting plans for a different boat for your first time.

Plan on being able to commit a significant amount of time to this project. A stitch and glue boat may take 50 hours, or it may take 125 hours.

There are other options: Wood strip and Skin on Frame construction. Wood strip construction is very simple, but it takes a bit longer than Stitch and Glue. Skin on frame can be as fast to build, or faster, than building stitch and glue.

There are workshops held around the world where you can pay a fee for materials and build your own boat under the guidance of an expert. These may run for a weekend, or a week. ( Unless there is one very close to your home, I'd avoid those that last longer) Consider searching for one of these workshops and planning a vacation around it. Find one that is held in a nice location. Work on the boat building during the day, then hit the night spots in the evening. When the boat is finished you can paddle night and day. At the end of your vacation you head home with a new kayak on your car top. Bring a friend. Go home with two kayaks, or one double.

Hope this helps get you started.

Paul Jacobson