: As Rob points out, class 3 is plenty severe enough to kill you. If you are an
: inexperienced kayaker, I would take Robs advice and buy a cheap plastic
: boat then take a class, and/or paddle with some experienced white water
: guys. Once you are experienced you should be able to make informed choices
: of how to build your own boat.

To all, thanks for the info and common sense advise. I would never venture out in any water I wasnt comfortable with. My main concern was wether the boat might take it. Lastly, The things I make in this world are trivial things, not works of art. I feel if you build it you should use it. I feel no more concern for my strip built canoe than I do for my Gruman. It is the joy of the ability to make something that gives me pleasure, not the price I can get for my efforts. I guess I just dont take myself too seriously.

Keep building, Elliott