: There are two kinds of people, the ones who follow directions exactly, and
: those who enjoy the result more if it's their own variation, even if it is
: more work or isn't quite as good. More often, I think, it's the people in
: the last category who are more likely to build their own kayak rather than
: just buy one.

: Al Gunther, Kingston, WA <---- 47° 48.1'N, 122° 30.0'W

Al, Actually there are 6,343, make that 4, kinds of people, but who's counting.

You suggest that those who follow directions closely are less than creative. Perhaps that's true for some.

I believe in standing on the shoulders of those who came before me. In other words, I love to steal, woops, I mean borrow, every good idea I see someone else using and make it my own.

Recently, I was down at the Charleston Kayak Symposium a couple years ago and this guy next to me used a six point shock cord tie down for his hatches instead of the four points I used. Stole that one. Michael from Newfound Woodworks showed me how he liked these garden pruning shears for cutting strips and a small Japanese pull saw to trim. I now use these tools.

Some of the most successful people have used other peoples good ideas to their advantage, like Picasso, Bill Gates (I hate your guts) and the nation of Japan.

The trick is to recognize a good idea when you see one. I must admit I think you have to get past making the mistakes (I'm guilty) of reinventing the wheel with each task, before your cup is empty and ready to be filled with the wisdom of a master, Grasshopper.