: I am planning on building my first Kayak this winter. I am an experienced
: woodworker and an inexperienced kayaker and am having a hard time deciding
: on a kayak design. I have looked at the Great Auk design and the Cape Ann
: from Oneocean kayak. Does anyone have any suggestions? I am 6'1", 220
: with big feet and am looking to paddle on the bays and in the Pacific
: Ocean in Southern California. Thanks in advance for your suggestions and
: advice. ps. I have already ordered Nick's book to read on my vacation.

If you are in southern California, check out the website of the southern California kayak builders:

http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/btreecs/

Not only do they have lots of reviews, but you might be able to get in contact with other nearby builders and either discuss in detail, or test paddle, several designs. If you are planning to build this winter, you still have quite a while to do your research.

If you are building a strip built boat, and can find a previous builder of the same model, then you just might be able to borrow or rent their forms and/or the strongback building frame the forms go on. If so, your time for building the boat, and your costs, have both gone down. If you do manage to obtain precut forms, please be sure to see that the designer gets their proper fee.

Best of luck with your project.

Paul G. Jacobson