: I have a white hull on my last boat and still have plenty of leftover paint
: and really like the look of the white hull so I'll be doing the same on
: this one. I found pearl colored hatches on sale which are close enough to
: white for me.

Pearl! Well, I have to admit, even though I'm kind of prejiduced toward the natural look of wood strip patterns, your choice seems very appealing. And the white hull and the "pearl" hatches will definitely set off the strip pattern you end up with. Just as in the picture that was posted in one of your responses.

: I don't have to get the whole kayak done but I work and I'm in college and
: plan to work on most of it over winter break. I know that when school
: starts again I will be much more tempted to work on the kayak than study.

I totally understand your preferences for which project you might give priority to. Winter breaks don't seem to be very long, so good luck getting to a stage where you will be comfortable with your progress!

: I designed the kayak myself. To try to save time and make it easier to build.
: I kept the back deck completely flat. I might even do a hybrid of sorts
: and use plywood for part of the deck.

Designing your own boat to your specs is very admirable...I have been quite content to work with the plans of others. If you plan to paint the hull and "ply" parts of the deck, will any of the strip pattern show? Or do I misunderstand your vision? Will you strip the hull?

: This will be kayak number four.

Isn't building "fun"? Four kayaks! Quite an achievement. One for every kind of paddling situation!

Cruz, W.F.