: I'd like the length, but don't particularly need the volume. I'd be willing
: to consider 16 feet, but want a good bit of waterline(more than my
: RomanyLV).

: This may make me sound ignorant, but I see many smaller sized paddlers in
: boats approaching 18 feet all the time and their boats fit them
: splendidly. Granted, they are fiberglass or kevlar construction...Is this
: simply a foolish undertaking for me? I'd like to build a boat, but there's
: really little reason to build one that I won't use and I really don't want
: to build a rec length boat. Appreciate all the input. I had no idea I was
: beginning with such a vexing problem.

It takes a fair amount of work to design a boat then test the design and work out the details prior to offering up plans. Much like a commercial kayak builder, so the designs generally tend to fit lots of different people. When you get into designs that only fit a few people finding a boat design can be tricky.

You might want to look at the traditional greenland kayak designs, most are designed for SOF, but they tend to be long and skinny and the traditional ones were designed for smaller people.

Here's one I like (don't think I'd fit in it):

http://www.capefalconkayak.com/1931disko.html

Bill H.