: So, after much searching I discovered the North Alaska Recovery Kayak...and
: it looks like it might suit my needs. I am on a tight budget and am going
: to try to use mostly found/used materials. I'd like to try and cut my own
: willow ribs. Also, I will be using mostly hand tools.

: So, I'd like to hear from anyone who has built one of these kayaks...or
: anyone with tips on finding adequate materials and using more 'primitive'
: tools. Thanks!

I built a Morris-style recovery boat and while it is not a great long-distance-paddle boat, it is a great long-distance-drive-and-paddle boat.

It is light and easy to car-top, carry and portage. I had to add a skeg to mine to make it track OK. One potential problem is that depending on your leg-bone lengths and cockpit size, you may find it difficult to get in and out of if the cockpit combing doesn't tilt downward from front to back.

I tried to get into Mark Young's Zimmerly-based retrieval at SSTIKS this year (probably some pictures in either the 2006 or 2007 SSTIKS website) but couldn't get my legs in. Mine is about 11 feet long and the cockpit combing drops about 2" from front to back. If I were to do it over I would have the masik end of the combing at least 2.5" to 3" higher than the isserfik end.

All said and done it was a great first SOF boat build and much cheaper since I used shorter Home Depot wood. I prefer my longer kayaks but I still have my recovery boat.