Thanks for the info Chris, I appreciate it.
I have a bunch of okoume ply waiting to be scarfed and cut. I have not cut large panels before but plan on 'inching up' on the drawn lines using a spiral cutter and then a belt sander, and finally a sanding block, and doing the matching port and starboard panels simultaineously. I'm still juggling with the plywood vs strip deck question and would love to see a picture of yours when you get there. Thanks again.

: The "official" plans are not ready yet but you can get the kit(s)
: at Newfound Woodworks.

: There are 2 kits - One kit is for both a S&G hull and deck and the other kit
: is for the hybrid which is a S&G hull and a strip deck. Mine is the hybrid
: version.

: If you have a lot of experience I would go with the plans and then get all of
: your own pieces. If not I would go with the kit.

: Here is why I went with the kit: In my search for the kayak that I wanted I
: bought a lot of plans - Merganser 18, Outer Island, Baidarka 19. I did
: some trial runs and between trying to cut out long strips of paper and
: keeping my saber saw perpendicular I did not like the results. The puzzle
: pieces that come with the kit do require some cleaning and some touchups
: but a lot less than using my saber saw.

: The kit is also not set in stone. For example the kit came with 4 oz cloth
: and I chose to use 6 oz cloth instead. Michael was very helpful and they
: can tailor the kit to what you want. They also can adjust the hardener for
: the area of the country in which you live. In Texas I did not need any
: accelerator since I often still mow grass at Christmas time.

: I hope this helps,

: Chris Martin