:: you might wnat to look into a Skin On Frame (SOF).
:: This method however seems to need
:: both the most woodworking skill, and the most tools as well.

: Any experienced builders care to comment on the above? As someone with
: no woodworking experience, I was hoping that SOF might even be Easier to
: build

This sentance seemed more clear when seen through beer.

by most, I was comparting stitch and glue from a kit versus SOF from a book.

I don't consider a SOF to be too diffcult for someone who doesn't have any experiance with woodworking, but therer will be a learning curve.

and remember, the sooner you get started, the sooner you can finish the second one (that is the one that fixes all of the mistakes you made in doing the first one)

kayak building, its not just a hobbie, it a class IV narcotic.