Chip,

I am on the trail of all those things you suggested. I await some replies. I already have a CLC LT18 I built.
This is my curiosity in an OC. Kayaks are narrow and usually faster than canoes. However, the fatigue of using a kayak paddle enters when you are doing very long hours/distance. There is also the "butt pain" factor in a kayak that I never get in a canoe.
My feelings then are that the OC would allow the use of a single blade paddle and the speed (narrow boat) of a kayak or surf ski, especially in rougher water, such as offshore, where they have been proven.
It seems my best scenario to build an OC would be to select a narrow boat and build it with no cockpits, or a more open cockpit, allowing the paddlers to site higher and effectively use a single blade. Then to attach an outriggger to this. Of course, it is not this main boat that is the problem, but my ignorance of outrigger placement - how far from boat, angle to main hull, length, etc.?

I may just have to travel to the west coast and see about trying one. There doesn't seem to be much interest among kayakers or canoeists. This, however is a "think outside the box" situation. What can't one use an OC just as one now uses a kayak or canoe, albeit, not whitewater that requires great manueverability.
I think much of that is just based in tradition and that maybe the "box" can be opened up.
It wasn't too long ago that surfskiis were unheard of and now they show up at kayak races.
I have yet to see surfski plans available anywhere.
Then again, if you build (plan) it, they may come.