Sound you are not fanatic about it, and you shuldn't be.

Epoxy is a tool like any other in my book. If I hit a situation
during the project in which epoxy is the sensible route to take
(against my definition of sensible. Most people would say that
building using the easiest, lightest weight method would be
sensible... killjoys ;-p), I will make use of it. I may well use it
at some point in the stem to avoid the hassles of stop waters.
However, this is a boat that will shrink and swell, that will respond
to the temperature, to it's environments. Copper has a little give in
it whereas epoxy will tend to be pretty immobile, I suspect that there
is potential over time for the epoxy to induce stress fractures in the
timber. And at the end of the day, copper/timber is an old method
that has stood up well to time. Epoxy hasn't had the same kind of
long term (centuries) testing.

Anyhow, plans are in the post. Thanks to Pat for pointing out crook
supplier, I'll look into that when I've worked out my requirements.
Thanks for all comments, right now I'm looking at western red cedar
for planking, whatever I can get for knees etc. (probably oak from the
literature). Centreline is still in question, although I'm tempted by
Iroko or Utile as what I've read indicates good mechanical properties
coupled with good looks. Ribs are hopefully suitable bending oak,
failing that, probably ash. Foils are tricky, Leather suggesting
"Mahogany" which leads me back in the Iroko/Utile direction. Any
thoughts?

Oars and spars are of course in Spruce. Thwarts are looking like
Utile/Iroko, again for looks... I weigh a paltry 11stones so
mechanical properties are not a big problem.

Can anyone spot any major problems in the above list?

Final question, I'm looking at getting hold of something like a 10
foot 3x6 as the backbone of my building jig. Presumably I can get
away with Pine/Fir for this as long as I check it to avoid warp and
plane it true?

Thanks to everyone, there aren't many newsgroups I would consider as a
source for valuable advice (used in conjunction with suitable
literature), but I have learned over the past few years to have
tremendous respect for more or less every poster here. Thanks.

Al