I bought the wood for kayak #3 today. I'm going to use the forms from my Putz, but make the bow about 3" higher. I'm doing this one on the cheap, using:

3 sheets 1/8" luan total amt. $30 for wood. 1 gallon epoxy resin with one quart hardener 4-to-1 ratio bought from friend who is a fiberglass worker $25. 6 yards 50" 4 oz. fiberglass cloth $35

I will reinforce inside the cockpit with extra luan. I may use the polyester garden cloth on the inside instead of glass, this would be about $10 for a 100' roll. Has anyone considered using fiberglass screen material on the inside of a kayak? I could use that double thick on the inside and it would be less than $10. Any recomendations???

I'm trying to build it for under $100, and keep the weight below 35 pounds hopefully around 30. The deck will be a flat deck except for a peak in front of the cockpit, greenland style. It will be 17' long with a 21" beam. I already have leftover wire from my Pygmy and the forms from the Putz, it seems doable for under $100. I'm also hoping to finish it by Christmas to give it to my brother. I'll let my brother worry about the varnish.

I will also be building 2 kid's kayaks for my niece and nephew. Those will be from the plans in Roy Underhill's "The Woodwright's Ecclectic Workshop". They are very simple skin on frame boats that can be built in an afternoon. They are supposed to last about 3 years using the worst materials. I'll use better and the kids will outgrow them before they wear out. I have enough paint left over from my Putz that I should be able to cover 2 small kayaks. I'll epoxy and brass screw the joins instead of nailing them. I'll seal the wood which Roy doesn't say to do. I'm also thinking about using sythetic cloth instead of canvas. I also have enough monel staples left over to use them instead of tacks. All this should make them hold up much longer than Roy expects. It will probably take a few days instead of an afternoon, but they will be much better kayaks.

Mike