I am the Romanian builder.

Here are a video with me and the kayak in the spring of 2016.

https://vimeo.com/159947360

I guess I'm lazy because after 2 years I still didn't paint the kayak or install the maroske fittings.
I'am using it about once a mounth, and, yes, it's great in the winter, keeps the feet warm.

It's a great kayak, it's a keeper.

I recommend this type of building to someone who is not so crafty with the wood. Also is good to make a mold and then to make a kayak with fiber glass and polyester resin.

I planning in the future to try to make a stitch and glue kayak from polystiren foam, maybe the shrike model.

There is someone in Romania who is making a foamie kayak covered with veneer:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1245254055493754&set=pcb.1245256398826853&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1257607850925041&set=pcb.1257609817591511&type=3&theater

I was aware of the thread. Sorry that I didn't say anything on the matter until now.
Thanks to Robert and John for the kind words!