I built an Outer Island last year. The only things I changed were the size of the cockpit and its recommended construction. I built a carbon fiber coaming rather than a stacked plywood coaming and I made the coaming the same size as my Guillemot so that my spray skirt would be interchangeable. I did deviate from the stripping technique recommended by Jay in the building manual, but this did not change the shape of the kayak. I have no complaints with the performance, but I'd think about adding some extra height in the deck for your feet. I'm 5'8" with size 11 feet. When wearing water shoes or neoprene boots, I must sit with my heels together and toes pointed outward. I have just enough room to operate the bulkhead mounted bilge pump. I have a building log on my webpage.

Kurt