> Anyone want to give some advice to an eager, if uninitiated, novice?

Read a couple of books first. Nick's should be good. another one I would strongly recommend is an old one that has ideas which seem to have withstood the test of time. This is "The Stripper's Guide to Canoe-building" by David Hazen. It is available from www.amazon.com or if you want ot order from the publisher: Tamal Vista Publications, 222 Madrone Ave., Larkspur, California 94939

This is a good time to read these things. You can order materials in late March or April and build your boat by midsummer -- if you work ateadily at it.

Hazen's book contains full size plans for two kayaks, as well as plans for 7 canoes, so if you like the designs you have all you need. If you want a different design, fine. At least you will have had some exposure to what the designs look like, and have some understanding of how to interpret the pictures on them, at no extra charge.

Wood strip construction has been used for building a lot more canoes, over a longer period of time, than kayaks. As a result, it seems that a lot of tips on wood strip construction come from the canoe builders. My origin is canoe building, so maybe I just see things that way. If historians have a different view I certainly won't argue with them on this point. However, Ted Moores' "Canoecraft" has some excellent photos of the stripping process. The same can be said for Gil Gilpatrick's "Building A Strip Canoe"

If you obtain ALL of these books you will eventually see that there are as many differences as there are common msthods. Don't let this throw you. It just means that there are several ways to solve any of the problems. You ca mix and match styles and tips if you are careful -- or you can go with one method exclusively. Jut think "Viva La Difference."

> I'd like to build a strip touring kayak. Have never tackled any similar
> project, but I owned and did a lot of work on an old 34' wooden ketch, and
> have done a fair share of woodworking around the house. I know lessons
> might be in order, but time off from work and family, plus expense may put
> that out of the question. Would I be better off in investing in materials
> and tools?

Get a good staple gun. I assume that if you have worked on wooden boats before you have a power sander, electric drill, and a sabre saw. If you buy wood strips that is all you'll need. If you cut your own strips you'll want a table saw, bandsaw, or radial arm saw, or portable circular saw. If you decide to make bead and cove strips you'll need a router ( with a table) or shaper and two special router bits. A plane is a nice tool to have.

You invest in the tools, you purchase materials to build with. The cost of all the tools, wood, resin and fiberglass cloth will be considerably less than the cost of a good store-bought kayak, and you will have a boat that should be superior to wht you can buy ready-made.

> What books should I read (I've ordered Nicks, and several back issues of
> wooden boat for background)? Are there others that are well written and
> give good explanations?

I jumped the gun. See the list above.

> There seems to be a wealth of plans out on the market. Any experience with
> designs in the 17 to 18 foot length? What should I be looking for? I
> appreciate any and all advice/discussion here or you can E-mail me
> directly.

Everybody has a favorite. In finding that "favorite" they sifted through the available plans and suppliers of plans and kits. As a result they also have a big stack of rejects.

The best thing is to test paddle the designs that you might want to build. This is not so easily accomplished. Get a couple of these books and read the authors' views on choosing or adapting plans. You'll get a better education from that than from a short posting on this BBS. Lurk here for a while, and read a flot of posts from people who are building. See what problems they are reporting and what the fixes are. Don't make a firm decision on a design for a month or two. There is no hurry now. When you do decide, you can get the plans or plans and kit, in a few days and just jump into the project. Until then you can make yourself into an expert through reading-up on the subject.

Hope this helps.

Paul Jacobson