Epoxy is what gets you the most in cost.

Strip built requires fiberglassing inside and out. If you went with
stitch and glue, you could get away with just coating all surfaces with
2 coats of epoxy, which takes less resin than complete glassing.

S & G designs generally do not require a strong back either.

The trade off is you don't get the super fine curves of a strip built.

For around $300, you could get $200 worth of epoxy and paint and $100
worth of medium grade marine plywood. You could go cheaper with exterior
grade wood you get from the Home Depot but what you save in wood, you
spend in epoxy to get a decent, fair surface. Home Depot plywood will
soak up more resin too.

I don't have any touring kayak plans out yet (couple more months). I do
have a recreational kayak but it's pretty wide to be considered a
touring yak. Wider is generally more stable but not as fast for touring.

Selway Fisher has some neat looking ones
http://www.selway-fisher.com/Kayak.htm.

That or http://www.boatplans-online.com/prod....php?prod=SK17. Evan
designed that one as a 'sea kayak' but it's beamy enough for lake
cruising and be forgiving to a beginner.

Hope that helps!

--
Matt Langenfeld
JEM Watercraft
http://jem.e-boat.net/


Dan Dunphy wrote:
My 14'8" canoe cost me about $735 in 1991 dollars. This includes a
good saw blade, and materials for the strongback.

Dan

On Thu, 13 Nov 2003 19:00:44 GMT, Sue Goddard
wrote:


My son wants a touring/fla****er kayak and can't afford to buy one. I
have a woodworking shop and offered to help him build one over the
winter, but his budget is only around $300. Chesapeake Light Craft's
kits are +/- $600 for stitch 'n glue. I was hoping a strip boat would
be cheaper, but I bought two books with instructions, and they claim
costs of $500 - $1000.

Does anyone have thoughts on minimum costs to build a kayak, and whether
a strip boat or a stitch 'n glue would be cheaper?

Thanks!

Sue


Colorado Springs, CO
My advice may be worth what you paid for it.