I totally agree with this, Yosk is amazingly simple, and I do know what book you are going from I have looked at it in the library and didnt like the design, and the yost, sea tour 15, can easilly accomodate a person 175lbs, my husband and sister use mine just fine (I can't am to heavy...gonna build another one with a stronger keel board) I skinned it with 400 denier nylon, with a factory urathane coating, and it is working just fine.. no finishing neccasary.
I have actually volonteered to do the woodworking merit badge with our troop, and build these.

: I've been wrestling with weather to post this... as you do have a
: project under way. But, it sounds like you intend to build a
: number of boats with the Scouts. You may want to consider
: switching to Yost designs. Free plans and instructions. Just as
: cheap, and easier to build (fewer stringers; maybe
: cross-sections, too, but can't recall for sure), except for the
: addition of making stacked plywood coamings, which is not hard.
: But, most importantly, you'd have a modern design and well
: engineered boats.

: You could do the Sea Tour 13 for the average boat, and consider the
: 15 or 17 for adults or big Scouts. I'm doing a Seat Tour 15 R in
: wood right now (as I found the narrower Sea Otter too tippy and
: cramped in the feet).

: You'd have to translate the table of offsets to traceable patterns.
: Do it one time and you're set.

: http://www.yostwerks.com/SeaTour145a.html