Hello, everyone. I'm a new member, although I've lurked here reading posts for a year or two off and on. I have about 4 weeks off before I start my new job, and I decided there was no better time to take the leap and finally try to build a kayak. I've opted for a SOF design because it seems they are quick to build. I was looking primarily at Tom Yost's designs. I'm planning on using exterior grade plywood forms (sealed with epoxy) and clear pine for the rest due to easy availability (maybe cedar for the deckridge and keel if I get lucky at one of the big box stores; they don't sell S4S here).

I'd love to hear some advice from you guys, though. I'm planning to use this boat mostly for exercise and improving my paddling skills, which to this point are limited to paddling a plastic SOT for fishing. I love to fly fish, but this boat will be mostly for paddling. I expect to take it on protected areas of large lakes and on a large river (not whitewater).

My concern is that I'm about 5'6", 140 lbs. Since I won't be carrying much gear, most of the Yost kayaks need an extra 50 - 100 lbs. to reach the designed waterline. Using the anthropologic measuring formula in the Cunningham book, I get a suggested 22" beam (does this boat make my butt look big?) The smallest beam that I've paddled before is 26" (which was considered small by SOT standards, if you can imagine that). I think I could adjust to a smaller beam, though. I realize that the Yost designs would work for a range of weights, but I wanted to solicit any experience or advice that you guys might have in picking a first build for a lighter paddler.

Thanks, and apologies for the long post,

Eric