If it's "just a boat" (I can't believe I typed that!) you're after, any of the sources you mentioned would be good. If you're looking to improve your woodworking skills, then the strip built is the way to go.

I'd rank the degree of difficulty (from easiest to hardest) as follows:

CLC full kit.
CLC provides a full kit with the wood cut to size. Very little actual wood working is involved.
The deck is provided oversize. You bend it into place, nail/screw/glue it together and when the glue is dry, cut off the excess. Add fibreglass, epoxy, varnish and if you wish, paint. A boat is born! (I just finished one of these, -- see the link below -- and it takes a bit longer than that ;-)).

Pygmy full kit.
Pygmy also provides a full kit with precisely cut wood. I rank this as slightly more difficult only because the deck is a bit more complicated. Pygmy decks have multiple panels that must be stitch and glued together. These panels are then attached to the hull. Not difficult, but a bit more time consuming than just bending one piece of wood...

CLC from plans.
Making the kayaks from plans is more difficult than from a kit, simply because you have to transfer the shapes from the plans to the wood, and then cut out the wood.

Pygmy from plans.
Same as with the CLC plans, just a few more pieces to cut out because of the multi paneled deck.

Strip built from a kit.
If you get a kit, the strips will be cut for you. You will still have to make a stongback (the form) based on the plans. Various kits have different levels of information for the strongback. Some have half sized templates which must be scaled up prior to cutting them out. Other kits have full size plans that just have to be traced onto the wood.
Either way, there is still a fair bit of woodworking with a strip built boat.

Strip built from plans.
Like a kit, but you have to make all of the strips. This adds another level of complexity (and the need for some sort of a tablesaw!).

The deck can be plain, showing off the beauty of the wood, or you can build complicated patterns using the strips. The fancier the pattern, the harder it will be.

All that being said, I think you have to judge your own level of woodworking expertise and choose accordingly. Factor in the time that you have to work with as well. Even if you have never built more than a birdhouse, you CAN build a beautiful boat using any of the methods above. More complications just mean more time. Stitch and Glue designs seem to take between 40 and 100 hours, while stripers take between 150 and 250 hours. Why the large range? Probably due to the fact that some of us produce museum grade furntiure (that floats), while others are more concerned with getting the hull wet than looks. Of course it could be that some of us (not me!) are just really good and fast at the same time.

Whatever route you take, remember that everyone on the BBS is willing to help. All you have to do is ask.

Happy Boatbuilding!

coop

: Let me give a little background before I ask the question. I am a 17 year old
: Scout from PA. Senior Patrol Leader, etc, etc. I am currently in the
: planning stages for a graduation project that I need to do to complete
: High School. One thing that scouting has taught me is a love for boating,
: and being on the water. I had the chance to try out Kayaks about 2 years
: ago, fell in love, and have rented, etc, every chance I have gotten. For
: this project, I need to "Learn" a large amount, to satisfy the
: requirements. ALthough I already have a decent knowledge of water, from
: experience in Canoes, Rafts, Rowboats, sailboats, and others, I have never
: had much in terms of builing or woodworking. This is where I decided that
: it would be great to build my own kayak. It's also something my dad has
: always wanted to do, so I have support from family as well.
: So the Question becomes: after looking at Guillemot, Chespeake Light Craft,
: Pygmy's and more, I am still not sure as to what would be a decent
: beginning craft. Was looking for a sew and stich, and the first that
: appealed was the Chesapeake 17, but I obviously do not have enough
: experience to make a proper judgement. I need something that will provide
: a large challenge, but at the same time also be possible to build. I was
: hoping that if anyone has any ideas on this issue, they could either post
: here, or e-mail me.

: Thanks,
: Tom.