:So what I would
: like to know is where best to get a primer on the SOF yak for the rank
: beginner.

Have a good look at what Tom Yost has been up to. He has streamlined techniques and is very free with advice/consultation.

: How cheap is
: cheap?

Check with Tom for this, but I think you can get into one of his boats for under $300, maybe under $200. In fact, it might be possible to do one of his for under $100 - something I would love to try some day. But that would involve using unorthodox methods like the wood-cored conduit PVC and a recycled billboard tarp. It wouldn't fold, and I'm not sure that would work, but it is very tempting. I fear that perhaps my taste for the unorthodox has added a grey hair or two to Tom's head.

: 2. What keeps 'em from heading straight to the bottom upon first contact with
: an oyster shell?

The PVC tarp Tom is now using is coated on both sides, and is the kind of material that trucks use for tarps. It's designed to tolerate abuse. Scrape off the coating on the exterior and there's the redundancy on the interior. If you're off on an expedition, just take a second skin along. The second answer I would give is float bags - a current project of mine yet to be completed.

:Where might I learn more about
: folders without spending any money?

Review Yost's posts on this forum, email him.

: should I ignore folders altogether, since compacting the boat isn't an
: issue at this point?

I've only built one, and haven't folded it yet. The beauty of it is that you can have your kayak and turn it into a folder later. Or not - it's up to you. Use it for several years and then, when Belize or Norway calls you can always turn it into a folder then.

: Note: There are no examples of anything this board has to do with for me to
: see locally. A few plastic yaks are about it here in my part of Texas.

I'm in Fort Worth, if you're ever nearby I'd be happy to show you what I've made. You could even meet me out at a lake and test drive it. It's clearly a newbie boat, with plenty of rough edges, but still demonstrates the strengths of Yost's concepts.

One thing that I enjoy greatly about paddling the SOF is the way I can feel waves' energy pass through the boat as I'm paddling. Initially it was an odd thing to experience, but then more and more of a pleasure for me.

Wayne