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.

Hi Sue,

One thing I am suprised no one mentioned is looking for used boats.
Unless you are really set on building your own, you can probably find
a used boat in your son's price range. I'd suggest contacting your
local paddling clubs, and looking at yard sales and estate sales.

I have a friend who developed horrible arthritis, and he ended up
selling off all his boats for a fraction of what they are worth
(sorry, they're all sold now). In cases like that, you can also work
out a bargain with the paddler, because more often than not they will
be proud to help someone enter the sport even if they themselves can
no longer enjoy it. When my grandfather passed away, my grandmother
virtually gave his boat away to a kid who she believed would enjoy it
as much as he did. I personally just sold my ex's boat for half of
what it is worth, because I did not want to look at it anymore.

Boats bought this way will also often include the paddle, PFD, skirt
and other goodies. It's also environmentally friendly because you are
you are recycling someones old boat.