With the exception of the high tech, experimental end of things, most every new boat design of a particular type is a spin off or variation of something that has already been done. Boats have been around for a good long while and, at least with the self propelled kinds, hull design is pretty limited for a particular need/desire (i.e., fast=narrow and long, etc.). This is a very simplistic example and viewpoint, but the design parameters for kayaks ain't that large........guess you'd have to give the intellectual rights to the aluets or something.........don't see many natives getting a design fee......

I'm glad there are guys like Nick and others who can bring these design to the point that they are buildable by us regular folks, and I've gladly paid for plans. I've bought a bunch of books with offsets and I like the idea of using them to build from. Maybe this is because I am frugal, or, maybe it is because I like to do the lofting......makes me feel that the boat is a bit closer to mine than someone elses (though obviously it is not, and I proudly tell those who ask about my canoe, from whom the plans came). I think that the book and offsets are by far the best deal. I know the plans are very detailed, but boats, good boats can be built from the offsets in the books. $20.00 as opposed to $80.00 is not a hard decision for me to make in building a canoe or kayak.
On the other hand.........I'd more than gladly pay the $75.00 bucks for full sized plans for a strip built 19 foot performance sailboat, the reason being that there is a whole lot more there to mess up, and the full technical support of the designer is a welcomed thing.
Many who buy Nick's book will no doubt decide to purchase the plans. And this would be money well spent. Nick is a fine designer of kayaks and I am truly glad that he allows us the option of plans or the book or the book and plans......seems like a good fit for everyone.
garland

: Kind of a scary thought that practically all intellectual property can be
: digitized and shared. Can a Napster for boat designs be far off?