Get Hot!

I too made the plunge after about the same experience as you. And it is addictive. I still need to rebuild the tip section of my Sage 4 wt, but there's ice on the streams still, and I've got a boat project underway (Can't wait to get rid of the 'project' in that sentance). Tools are not an issue, nor is cutting scarfs, if you get plans with scarfed joints. And it's a great way to keep your area clean, since it is much more satisfying to sweep up sawdust that you made instead of dirt tracked in by the dogs.

While I'm not much past you, I think that with the scarfs cut, I'm over the hump. The rest is tracing and cutting (Although, I had mucho problemos in kindergarden with these skills, now that I'm thinking about it). I spend a lot of time looking at the plans, looking at my pile of wood, and imagining how it's going to end up being a boat. Goes well with either a fine cup o' joe, or a bottle o' (home)brew. The only two painful purchases if you go with plans is the plywood if you get good stuff, and the epoxy if you buy it all at once. Everything else is $20-50 here and there (and everywhere).

Again, get over the hump and do it. If you've got the cash, go with the kit and avoid the couple of weeks that I've spent going to get wood, worrying about cutting scarfs, shopping around for glass and epoxy, etc. Although, I am well set up for my next boat .... ;^)