> While in Boothbay Harbor I saw two wooden kayaks that appeared to be made
> from plywood that was shaped to a form, what is this method? My father and
> I built a strip canoe 15 years ago that I still have and enjoy using but
> my wife and I are looking at trying Kayaking If I built a kayak I would
> want it to be an Expidition in order to haul gear. I am also considering
> building one each with my 3 children, probable the smaller one. What is
> the total cost of a finished one?

Check out the Stillwater Baots site at www.by-the-sea.com/Stillwaterboats these are built using four plywood panels that are cut to specified shapes, then other cuts are made in the panels to allow them to be bent to a round bilged shape. He has one small Kayak and two or three other designs, including a double paddle decked canoe/kayak thing that might be good for you and your wife. It is not as beamy and it has a lower and less severe sheerline than a canoe....decked over with one large cockpit for two paddlers.....might be a good choice, and they are very nice looking. you could probably make some dry storage/flotation chambers in the bow and stern by putting in a couple of bulkheads with access via deck plates. I don't really know much about the boats, but they look pretty nice...not for serious kayaking, but for family cruising on easy waters......