: Any and all info appreciated (including suggestions on kits).
: Sorry if this is a repost. I did a search and couldn't find anything on this.
: Thanks,
: chas the novice

Charles -
If you're building to paddle, then buy a S&G kit. It will give you the satisfaction of building your own boat in about 50-60 hours. I can personally recommend Pygmy or Shearwater. Waters Dancing has been getting good reviews, too.

If you're interested in developing wood-working skills and want to build something with a more advanced hull-form (unless you really like hard-chine boats), then build a stripper in about 350 hours.

Many of us (including me) built S&G kits as first builds, then launched into strip-building.

You'll be able to find a great design in either S&G or strip-built. If you're in the northern Ohio general area, I can arrange to have you paddle both S&G and strip.

Jim