: I'm looking to build two wood kayaks and having a devil of a time making up
: my mind. I've built a Pygmy by kit and a B&B Diva by plans so I have a
: clue but fearful of strip building. Hers will be first so I won't muddy
: the water with my specs.

: 5'6"/130# size 7 shoe - she currently has a Cape Horn Pro Fiberglass but
: wants lower volume to learn rolling and skills. She is a new paddler, less
: than six months but catching on fast, learning with a Lumpy GP and with
: several skilled friends. I need something that will track without a rudder
: or skeg but not like it's on rails, I want her to be able to turn without
: a fight and not have to fight to go straight(I want the world, I know)

: I've considered: Petrel - CLC
: Cirris LV - One Ocean Kayaks
: Disko Bay - Laughing Loon
: The Silver - Redfish

: I think I can build it by plans but wonder about availability of materials in
: NC. I can scarf to get my lengths if needed.

: If I go plans, about how much should I expect to pay in materials? Strips
: have to be expensive to ship and I have a router.

: Thanks,
: Dan
I just finished my Outer Island and cost about a grand. Not too sure why, but I think my biggest cost was all the consumables, things like sandpaper and foam brushes. As for wood, if you can find access to a table saw or maybe better, a skill saw with a 3 foot long aluminum angle bolted to it 1/4" from the blade may work. My first boat was a canoe and we cut the strips this way and it worked out great. This way, if you are willing to do a little digging through the cedar piles at the home stores in the decking dept, you will find clear wood at a reasonable cost. As for length, if you don't mind scarfs, just eight feet or so would work out fine. I did find a clear 20' board for my last boat, but I had a hard time cutting it even with infeed and outfeed tables, it was too long to handle. Next boat I will stick with shorter stuff and scarf it, the scarfs are hardly noticeable. Shop around online for prices on things like cloth and epoxy.
Hope this helps!