Paul,

I would also endorse CHris K's book - very well written. Also, most if not all boat plans come with detailed building instructions - so you would probably be in decent shape with just browsing places like this bbs and using the instructions in the plans. I found that the only way I could figure out what they were talking about in the books and literature was to try it for myself. It's actually pretty easy to build a boat that floats and goes straight. Experience is required to end up with few visual flaws. Experience seems to contribute to higher strength to weight ratio in the final product also.

Do some reading. Exchange a few emails - pick a design you like - buy and build it. You won't regret it.

You might want to consider skin on frame construction as well. It is the fastest, cheapest, (IMHO)funnest, way to build. But I have to admit that there is nothing like the beauty of a wooden boat...

Here are a few sites you might want to visit:
http://www.clcboats.com/
http://www.shearwater-boats.com/pricelist.html
http://www.royfolland.com/index.html
http://www.bateau.com/index.htm
http://apci.net/~michalak/
http://www.glen-l.com/
http://www.clarkcraft.com/index.htm
http://www.greenval.com/models.html