The foam blocks will work fine, but I would recommend getting special v-shaped ones for your kayak -- $20-$25. The drawback is that the foam blocks can move as you load the kayak, or even blow off the roof of your car on a windy day. But a full rack system will cost about $250, so it's a question of how much the little nuisances are worth. Whichever method you use, though, make sure to use at least a tiedown to the front bumper, if not to both bumpers. I recently had a very scary time crossing the 5-mile-long Mackinac Bridge (connects upper and lower Michigan) with a roof rack system and 3 secure straps...

As to paddles -- "Are the wood ones okay?" Are you kidding? -- you built a wood boat, didn'tcha? It's downright sacreligious to use anything BUT a wood paddle! :) Just watch out for weight -- some of (like Sawyer) have fiberglass/epoxy lay-ups on the faces of the blades. They feel pretty heavy but should be bomb-proof. Personally, I'd recommed the thin Inuit style. In either case, I'd also recommend attending a class or a sea kayak symposium of some sort. You will get a LOT of good information about paddling technique as well as many other topics.

Dean