A few years I began building an S&G kayak. At the time my tool kit consisted of a hammer and a saw. Needless to say a handyman I'm not. Anyway, one step at a time and after much pleasure and occasional frustration, many errors (some corrected) the boat was completed. It floats, looks great, paddles well and has been a huge joy for me. At that time someone on this forum suggested that I'd probably be building a stripper next - I could not imagine why - I already had my kayak. Yet 18 months later in November '07 I started the Redfish King. My tool kit continues to grow and the build process again is just one step at a time. Thanks to input from this forum, internet blogs and photo essays of kayak building I am now at the final sand and fill stage with the launch anticipated in July.
Others may have discovered this before me but my point is that one does not necessarily have to be a craftsman to build a functional and beautiful boat. It probably helps and there are many samples of fine crafsmanship displayed in this forum - but its not a requirement. So if you've been thinking about building and wondering if you have the skills then deny yourself no longer - just do it and you will end up with a boat.