I've built 2 Pygmy Arctic Terns. They went together great and apparently, so do the CLC's. Both companies design there boats for novice building skills. It sounds like the major construction difference is the way the decks are constructed and attached. Pygmy takes the panel approach, same technology as the hull and you simply stitch and glue the deck to the hull. CLC takes the sheer strip approach, where you glue a wood sheer strip to the deck edge of the hull, shape it and then glue the deck to the sheer strip and hull by bending it into shape.
Maybe Gini could say something about which attachment method she found easiest to do since she's built both boats.
Either are within the grasp of a beginning builder
SO...
I'd contact both CLC and Pygmy and ask them for the names of builder/owners in your area that might let you try the boats you're thinking of building. Buy and build the boat you want to paddle. I live in northeastern Ohio and you're welcome to try out our Tern 14'. I sold my Tern 17' 2 weeks ago. Here's a link that details some of the building process on my Tern 17'