Hi Rick,

My Guillemot Double is in process and I did use Nick's book and built a plywood internal boxbeam strongback. As for your questions ...

"1) is it worth it to buy the premade forms?"

I used the book's numbers and drew the forms then cut them out on 1/2" plywood. Like every step, buying saves time, costs money and reduces your understanding and involvement in the process. Try it you'll like it!

"2) I don't have the tools or the patience to make my own strips but don't know how many of what types I need (i.e. full length, half size for accents, no bead and cove on some etc). How to I determine this before I place an order?"

Page 175 (Appendix 1) in Nick's book gives enough info for most items. Keep it simple to start. You can always cut the bead or cove off a few strips or cut a few in half.

"3) Is the Great Auk a good choice (mostly flat water lakes with some potential for overnight)"

If you want to include your wife consider the Guillemot Double. It also lets you take others out when they show interest. We have two "plastic" singles and always wish we could take others out or not leave someone on the beach.

"4) Any advice for "selling" my wife on the need for more tools"

My motto is 'Every project requires a new tool!' Even painting a room needs sandpaper, a good respirator, dust mask, etc. Start small but at the top of her priority list. I have a remodeled kitchen project in the planning stages and the kayak building as a filler while I wait for my wife to decide on details of the kitchen. Last weekend she even fed the wood into the saw to make strips while I guided their exit and adjusted the setup. Keep her involved!

My other suggestion is to check on the existance of another local kayak builder as you could exchange tools and ideas. I borrowed the router bits from a person in the midwest.

Good Luck, Steve in San Diego