> Someone out there knows the best site to investigate plans, not kits, for
> a skin or canvas covered kayak or bidarka. Any related book titles &
> sources would bne be appreciated also. Please help!

In addition to the other authors and sources listed look up "Bark Canoes and Skin Boats of North America" By Adney and Chapelle. It is great. Kayak chapter covers the kayaks by geographic area/type. Plans for all the boats in this book are available from the Smithsonian.