Kurt,

There are two types of skin boats; Traditional and Non-Traditional.
The books of Morris, Cunningham, and Brinck detail the traditional method.
This method recreates the type of Arctic kayaks that were built for thousands
of years in Alaska ,Greenland, and Canada. These wonderful kayak designs are
the basis of all sea kayaks being made today. Most homebuilt skin boats are
constructed this way. Frame Construction is wood, with the various stringers
being lashed to bent ribs. Skins are sew and coated with Urethane or hypalon,
among others. (Traditional builders - please excuse my over-simplification).

On the other side of the spectrum are " non-traditional" skin boats. All
folding kayaks, and some non-folders are built this way. In this method,
stringers are attached to a few hard cross sections, as opposed to numerous bent
ribs. Skins are usually made of pre-coated PVC or Hypalon, though sewn and
coated skins are also used. Books by Putz, Dyson, and Blansford detail
variations of this type kayak. I'm currently working on a folding
kayak builders manual, but it's not yet available.

My kayaks, whether folding or non folding, use non-traditional construction
methods. For folders, I use all synthetic materials. Aluminum, plastic, PVC.
but have used wood for several non-folders.

:Are they really cheap to build? How cheap is cheap?

Cheap is relative. My aluminum / plastic kayaks cost about $300.- $400.00US
depending on where the materials are purchased. I make no attempts to
substitute "cheaper" materials in order to reduce costs. Comparable
sized commercially produced kayaks start at about $2000.00US.

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

Throughout their thousands of years history, skin boats have proven their
durability. Modern skin boats with their canvas, nylon, or polyester based
skins, have continued that tradition.

: 3. Even though I have looked at folding boats and SOF yaks to some degree, I
: do not clearly understand how folders work, and following, the difference
: in complexity (read: expense) between them. Where might I learn more about
: folders without spending any money? Or at least, very little of it? Or
: should I ignore folders altogether, since compacting the boat isn't an
: issue at this point?

A folding kayak disassembles for storage. On my boats, the skin is removed,
the aluminum stringers are pulled away from the cross sections, and the
stringers are then broken down into smaller sections. All parts are then
stored in a bag or case. This is not unlike packing up a tent. These kayaks
can just as easily be built as non-folders, as the differences are few.

: 4. Do I have to get a sewing machine, and learn how to use it?

Most skins are hand sewn. My PVC skins are glued together, so no sewing is
required.

: 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.

See the pic below for a view of both traditional and non-traditional frames.
The beautiful wood frame was built by Arko Bronaugh, and the aluminum folding
frame one is my own design.

Traditional construction gives you the opportunity to recreate a piece
of history, while providing you with a wonderful performing kayak.

Non-traditional provides you similar performance, but is probably the easiest
method available for building a kayak. Either way, you can't go wrong.

Don't rule out Stitch and Glue plywood construction or woodstrip/fiberglass.
With the expertise available on this site, either is a real possibility.

Tom