: Hi there! I have spent my life burdened by responsibility and governed by the
: established view, I now am retired, sound in wind and limb and want rid of
: all those restrictions. I live on the west coast of Australia and have a
: mind to as they say "vanish into the wild blue yonder".

: I plan to build wood strip kayak suitable to carry the main requirements of
: life as a nomad and go where the fancy takes me, Anyone out there done it
: , or planning to?. Please! absolutely NO "wet blankets" I'm
: surrounded by them as it is. I'm going to do it come what may, so all
: advice is most welcome. Come on you adventurers strike a blow for freedom.
: You never know I might paddle to your neck of the woods.

Edith,

Sounds like a plan. I think a lot of us want to do just what you laid out. Build your stripper strong, leaving out nothing that will make your journey more pleasant. Long trips require a lot of gear, so build as large as you can handle. A lot of distance paddlers use doubles, while soloing, in order to carry enough gear. Set down your exact goals and plan your kayak from there. You didn't tell us your background. What building experience do you have, what paddling experience do you have, is money a problem (thats my biggie),etc.?

Anyway I am including a couple of sites that may help you. Paddlewise is a semi-moderated mailing list established for discussion of all paddling related topics in all areas of the world. There is a wealth of information and experance there. http://www.paddlewise.net/ The New South Wales Sea Kayaker is the magazine of the New South Wales Sea Kayak Club (Inc.), and may give you some contacts. http://www.nswseakayaker.asn.au/mag/contents.htm There are also some strip builders in Australia you may be able to contact. I would like to suggest that you buy Nick Schrade's book The Strip Built Sea Kayak as a start.

You have a dream, now make it real. Read, learn and study all you can find.

Paddle more, be safe, and live long
Ronnie