This is a very vague question. I'm not at all qualified to answer this but it would help if you provided more information for someone more knowledgeable to answer. What do you teach? Woodshop? Cad?

If the student is designing this shouldn't he be doing the research? How old is the student and what class is this for?

Most builders here build per purchased plans, or from a book. If I were to recommend a book off the top of my head I would recommend "The Aleutian Kayak" by Wolfgang Brinck. The book covers the Aleutian kayak who's design is somewhat variable based on the builders body measurements. The boat is designed to fit a person up to 6 ft tall and about 180 lbs. If the builder differs substantially from this a body based measuring system is discussed so that the boat will fit the builder. If the student is young enough where he/she hasn't had a growth spurt, they might outgrow it. But they would have some sense of accomplishment in adopting a standard design to fit there body. But keep in mind this is a skin on frame boat (which I am biased towards). These are also "tippy". If they are not an experienced kayaker, it should be made wider. If they want a plywood boat this book is not for them.

More info please.

Paul.

: Oh please.... any help at all would be greatly appreciated.

: I am a teahcer who is charged with helping a student design and create a
: fully functioning Kayak. I really know nothing about this and this is the
: first place I have found from the search engine.

: Feel free to email me with any ideas. This kid is a really shrp dude and is
: able to take on big tasks like this.... I'm here to facilitate.