: . . . I just have a few questions. Before it gets
: here. . .

Oh, don't worry. Once it arrives you'll have more questions

: tools. . .

Go to Harborfreight.com, and bookmark the homepage. Get your name on their mailing list and you will never lack scrap paper. Their house brands are not thebest tools availabl, but they are certainly adequate, and they are inexpensive--even with shipping costs. Depending on where you live they may have a store nearby. They have a good price on handplanes. They also sell wire-twisting pliers, and wire cutters.
Actually, you can use a sanding block and coarse sand paper to bvel panel edges. Costs less, takes more time.

5" random orbital sanders are the tools of choice. Get one that has a 'hook and loop' method for attaching the sandpaper. Find a good price on bulk packs of sandpaper. No, 100 disks of medium grit is not too much to buy. You'll need about the same in fine grit. Also get coarse and extra-fine grit sanding discs. Get the sander first. They have a hole pattern which you will need to match wih the hole pattern on your discs. When the holes match the sawdust is sucked through them. If you have the paper on hand you'll change it when it gets clogged, and not try to 'stretch' some more life from a dying piece.

What would be the best
: way to inlay or onlay a kayak for a novice.

Buy some small pieces of wood veneer and try to create your design from them first. Once you have that it is just a matter of gluing it to the boat. Well, it may be a bit more involved than that, but you do need the design first.

Onlay is much easier and faster.

: . . .do you need a special program to view the
: pictures on this forum?

No. If a picture doesn't show then it was probably posted with errors.

. . . I'm sure I will have a
: ton of questions in the next few months.

Everybody does. Don't feel shy about asking. Take a few pictures of your progress and share them with us.

Enjoy the experience.

PGJ