When building Stitch and Glue kayaks it is really nice to have the pre-cut panels complete with puzzle joints on the hull panels and for the strip built deck it would be nice to have all the forms. But you do pay a premium for that luxury.

That is very true for S&G kayaks. Having CNC machined panels saves hours of aggravation over making your own. I've been cutting my own panels for years and honestly it's not fun. Small mistakes can lead to big issues down the road. This Fall I'm actually looking at farming out my panel cutting.

For strip it's not so clear cut. Cutting forms out of plywood is pretty straightforward. Buying your strips pre-cut could be an option if you don't have the tools to mill them.

Kits can also be nice since all the materials required to complete the project are included. You don't have to hunt around for items and/or place multiple orders for all your materials. The kit provider will also supply you with proven materials.

If it's your first boat kits can be very convenient.