Hi there Steve.
I don't know how much wood working you have done, but I saw the price of
pre cut wood & I had a cow!
However...
I am a "Minimalist"... If I won the Lottery...
( which would be tough, as I don't buy tickets...)
I wouldn't build a house over 1800 Sf. I woundn't have a power boat over 15'
no mater how much money I had. or a truck / car that guzzled gas.
However...
I have no money... Or extra time. BUT I think I would cut my own strips
anyway, I have seen postings about people cutting strips with a hand held
skill saw with an extended fence. That can't cost as much as pre cut strips
that I have seen.
HOWEVER...
If you intend on making only one boat. Precut strips are an advantage if
you don't have any use for the power tools again.
However...
I'm on my 3rd kayak, & have plans at least 5 more.
But I'm not addicted...
And I would like to say this is not an addictive hobby.
But I'm not addicted...
O.K. I feel the need for about 10 more kayaks of different designs to
make me happy about what I've paddled.
Its a good thing that I'm not addicted to this obsession... ( er, Hobby.)
Dave

: Relatively new to the site and have appreciated the responses and expertise
: apparent in the posts, so I thought I'd bring a question to the group.

: I'd like to build an expedition kayak for my wife to use this summer. time is
: of the essence and I find myself wondering about cost/benefit of buying
: the strips already shaped v. doing it myself. Do any of you veterans out
: there have any thoughts on the matter? average time absorbed in ripping
: and routing? sources of strips? approximate cost and whether its worth the
: cost of buying?

: I realize, as much as I can without having built one before, that beginning a
: project of this complexity with a deadline so close that I'm not doing
: myself any favors. I'm not completely sold out that I'm moving ahead with
: an immediate start, but its looking like I might give it a try.

: Any feedback would go a long way.

: listening,

: Steve