Patsy:
Your enthusiasm is great! I can relate...have been reading this listserve for a year, built a workshop, just started a native Aleut paddle and am building the Redfish Silver for the use of my son and wife. As you have discovered, this is a great site!

Eric Shade's boats can be purchased from Newfound Woodworks (http://www.newfound.com/), and you can salivate at Eric's work at his website(http://www.shearwater-boats.com/kayaks.html).

I am building Joe Greenley's Silver (www.redfishkayak.com). As you have read, it is a strip-built design for the smaller paddler. Joe has been fantastic at responding to email questions, and provides great instructions. I plan to build his newest design the King after completing the Silver....that might not be until next summer. So...I just purchased a used CLC 17 from a kayak buddy. I paddled it on Labor Day. It handles beautifully, responds readily to edging...very comfortable and is light.

Sounds like a trip to Annapolis might be a great idea. You might want to contact Eric Schade and see who might have one of his Mergansers in your area. They are beautiful to look at and I understand handle like a dream.

I agree...the search if half of the fun.
Enjoy..
Bob