A hundred seven hits, and noone suggested a design...I wonder why. With your woodworking experience, building the thing won't be a problem...but you'll have to decide on the design based on personal preference, and the amount of work you want to do. Mr. Shade's book includes offsets for stations, which is basically the plan...right? The same holds true for Ted Moores' kayak book. It's much easier to order the plans from the designer (and it helps support their efforts to continue to create boats). Check out Mark Rogers' designs. He lives in Wiscosnin (Superior Kayaks). I've had a good experience working with him on a skin on frame boat, and his wooden boat designs are very sweet. I've built Rob Macs' Northstar, and that boat always gets attention.

Bill Cruz

: I have been surfing, and surfing and surfing the net looking at kayak
: designs. My head is swimming,

: I want to build a strip kayak this winter. I'd probably fall in the
: "most popular" category. I am 5'9 170 lbs and a beginner with
: some paddeling experience on Lake Superior. The primary purpose of the
: kayak will be on Lake Superior, either along the north shore or Apostle
: Islands, with occasional trips to the Mississippi River. I'd like to be
: able to pack for a 2-3 day excursion, and for this boat prefer straight
: tracking over the ability to turn on a dime or surf. I do want speed
: though. I paddled a plastic, poorly designed boat several years ago and it
: was a stable tub, compared to the plastic boat I was paddling, so I know
: that design is important. I am willing to sacrifice some stability for
: speed. I am not worried about fishing, photography, etc. I also do not
: want to outgrow the boat in a year. I am an experience woodworker, never
: built a boat though.

: Some designs I have come across, although I have paddled none of them. Cape
: Ann Storm, Redfish Silver, and the Guillemont appropriately from
: Guillemont. Type of strongback to build on doesn't really matter at this
: point.

: Thanks, Kyle