Wait. Jeff, was there anything in your books besides plans? *shameless grin*

I'm just kiddin'. I've got to say that I haven't read through the books completely, but it was definitely a good reference. I built my first two kayaks using Tom Yost's web site (free instructions AND designs), but I've got to say that your books are a lot easier to follow. There's a few aspects of fuselage building that I prefer your methods on, and some of Tom's that I prefer, and some things that I do completely different. *helpless shrug*. Sometimes I've just got to be different.

Honestly, I think that to discover the reason some folk prefer free plans is to analyze the folk first. Take me, for example. I'd never paddled any watercraft prior to getting into the sport...er... hobby... um... "obsession", as the wife likes to call it. I knew I wanted to try kayaking, but didn't want to pick up a 10' Rubbermaid container. I wanted a Serious Kayak. A Sea Kayak. Something that can take on the big bad ocean. Never mind that I live two/three hours away from the coast, and the biggest wave I've seen so far was behind a cabin cruiser. Plastic kayaks at that length were heavier than I wanted. Composite boats were too expensive for a hobby that I might not stick with. I discovered Tom's website, read his free instructions, plotted out his free design, bought materials & supplies & tools, and built myself a boat. Then another one for the wife, once she saw my continue to float through a full season of paddling.

Now my mom wants one... and she wasn't going to settle for anything but a rec kayak. So I did a bit of research, saw your Mess About, and bought the two books (I do buy the majority of my materials from you; still waiting for you to stock lumber). So Mom's getting a Mess About cheaply.

I'm working on a Sea Rider for myself as well. The more I learn about paddling, the more I want to build specific kayaks for specific functions. Been thinking about building an F1 afterwards, though it deviates from my fuselage habits so far. If Brian sold plans for it, I'd buy it, because I want an F1. Before, I just wanted a kayak.

So that's the way I see it. Put some free plans out there, let the newbies build a couple of decent boats, and decide if this is really something they're gonna get into. If it doesn't work out... nobody's lost anything but what would otherwise be a disgruntled customer. If it sticks to them... well, then you've got an addicted boat builder who won't mind spending money to get what they want. I think there's a few other business models built off that concept as well...