I just hope that if you pursue it and find that it isn't
: what you hoped that it won't turn you away from pursuing this bizarre
: obsession that this support group helps nurture...

: cheers,
: Travis

Travis,

You bring up a very important point for the first time builder.

Your first kayak is really about success, and to that end, I always
encourage builders to stick with proven materials, and leave the experimenting
to kayaks 2 through 500.

In this case, wood is best. It's both inexpensive and well proven.

If a first time builder fails due to the materials used, or the complexity of
the project, they may never try again. I've seen it happen many times.

It doesn't really matter how good the first kayak looks, as long as it's
completed. You can work on the cosmetics next time. And in most cases,
a first time success leads to a second, a third, and so on.......

Success is contagious,

Tom