: I am planning to build a short recovery style kayak for use in mild
: whitewater as well as some lake paddling.

Since I built a recovery kayak for mild white water and had an almost disasterous event, please let me give you a few tips.
White water is no joke. I had paddled the river in inflatables repeatedly and was in way over my head in a kayak. I ended up swamping the boat in a class II rapid and was very lucky to get out of the boat and then very lucky to get the boat out of the rapid.
While the books do not show this, make the cockpit look like a white water kayak. Lots of foam. This was probably my biggest mistake. The kayak needs to fit you like a glove. The only thing that saved my boat was rear floation. Fill that critter up with air bags.
It appears you do not WW kayak yet, or else you would have the paddle already, so ask questions about the water you are running. Its not fun to be scared out of your mind and not have the will to continue running, even though you get adopted my a group of WW junkies who fell in love with the boat.
As far as the paddle, go into a shop and ask for a paddle. Buy it or model yours after their recomendations.
Have fun, but take it seriously,
Scott
BTW... I gave my recovery away and am sticking with inflatables, if I ever move to an area with white water again.