> Has anyone had experience with building this particular kayak,
> and using it for open water touring. There are very few on the west
> coast of North America, and`at I know of in Western Canada.
> Thank you.

Doug- I have built Outer island and have paddled it extensivly. I have built a number of other boats is my life and have 3 other kayaks at this time including a strip built Panache, a wood frame Baidarka and a fiberglass Romany 16. The Outer island is my favorite boat. It is quite fast, very forgiving(lots of secondary stability) and looks awesome. It is the boat I choose to paddle "every day'. I did a month long paddle to Baja last fall and took the Panache because of the huge amount of storage. I have taken the Outer Island on 5 day trips and it had enough room. I added a retractable skeg and I love it. Jay Babina ,the designer has tweeked the design and I had the pleasure of paddleing the new version and it is great. I don't think it is much harder to build than any other stripper. I also added a keyhole style cockpit and am very happy with that as well. Let me know if you have any other questions. I live in the San Francisco bay area and would be happy to let you try the boat. I am on my way to paddle it now.

Ken