C'mon, Dotty, you've just asked "how long will it take to get from here to there?". We all get our distances off a suitable map, chop the distance into suitable dayly progessions, allow for weather currents chop and how fit we are and that gives us a rough idea. Of course, it doesn't, usually, work out that way, especially in the ocean.
In general, you size a kayak by calculating your weight and the weight of your gear.
If you are going out into open water you had better first concentrate on getting some paddling and water safety experience. If you can acquire a used plastic boat you can work on learning the ropes. By the time you build up your expertice a lot of your questions will have answered themselves.
Welcome to the club.
Charlie

: Hi,
: I'm currentyl involved in a furniture making course in Australia and am
: hoping to make a kayak as part of that. I'd be most likely to use it on
: rivers or launching from the beach (but ultimately hoping to make a trip
: around some small Indonesian islands/along Aus's coast one day). I assume
: this means I'd be wanting a sea kayak. I had a few questions re the
: feasibility and details of this venture before I jump in: How long is this
: likely to take me? I have a bit of furniture making experience but none in
: making boats and would be wanting to make a strip kayak.
: What sort of size would I be wanting? I'm 5'2" (157cm) and in the
: 90-100lbs range (don't know exact cnversion). If possible I'd like to make
: something that I could go camping with.
: Cheers in advance
: Dot