Hi all!! I am new to this forum. I was directed here by contributers on the Bear Mountain Boat Shop Forum. I am about halfway complete building a "Prospector" strip canoe (my first) and I am already thinking about my next project. I am building a strip canoe because I have a house on a small lake in N.J.. I wanted all of my family to use it on the lake either singly or together. (How many people can you fit in a "Prospector" canoe?) I have decided to build a kayak next because I want a boat that I could use solo on the lake. Since I am also very close to the Atlantic Ocean I will also use it in the surf and in the back bays. I don't think that a cedar strip canoe is the best choice for boating in the surf!!

I am asking this forum's contributers for assistance on which cedar strip ocean kayak design to select and build based on the following:

1. I am 6'-3" tall and weigh about 225.
2. I am in fairly good physical shape for an old guy.
3. I will probably use the kayak primarily in the ocean.
4. I have fairly good woodworking skills and my shop is set up for cedar strip boat building.
5. I intend this kayak to be a functional showpiece.

Any assistance you can provide would be greatly appreciated!!!!