I do a good bit of whitewater and I can't imaging spending the time or the money building a boat. The designs are changing very rapidly and there are many used boats on the market that my be more modern than any thing you could get plans for. An old school (longer displacement hull) can be had for $300.00 or less. If you are new to the sport you will not be happy with the same boat for a very long time. It's the only boating venture where every one seems to want a smaller boat instead of a bigger one. Check out Northeast paddlers message board or Boater talk for used boats. Or you could check in at your local white water shop and ask if they know of anyone selling a boat. Some times plastic is the right stuff, Steve.