You didn't mention how comfortable a woodworker your Dad is, or how dedicated you think he might be to a big project. A stripper is a pretty big commitment. It's a lot of work, it isn't cheap, and takes a fair amount of dedication. A hybrid can cut the time/effort down using a S&G hull but still having the asthetics of a strip deck. An S&G boat is less work still. And like the other folks in this thread have pointed out, a SOF is the quickest and easiest of all to build.

Lake Superior is for real big water. For his size, probably a 22 inch max width and 16 foot minimum lenght is what he wants if he's going to be caught in big swells or confused water.

If he's intent on a stripper, have him check out Nick's Petrel or Guillemot S. They're both compatible for his size.