: :

: Ok, I'll share based on my own experience.....

: My first build was a strip boat from a Redfish kit and I spent in
: the ballpark of $1,500 for it. It included everything but the
: seat and varnish. I received strips, forms, fiberglass, epoxy,
: rigging, shipping box to use as a strong back and instructions.
: I built a great looking boat from all this gear Redfish supplied
: and am still very happy with the decision to build my first
: strip boat from a kit. I had to buy some tools including a block
: plane , Japanese saw, a random orbital sander and sandpaper. I
: figure I've got $1,800 in my first boat counting the tools I
: bought.

: For my second strip boat, I bought the lumber locally and cut my
: own strips since I already owned a tablesaw. I purchased
: fiberglass and epoxy from various suppliers. I also bought
: another Redfish seat as I really liked the first one. I bought
: foot braces and rigging items from local suppliers. I spent
: somewhere in the neighborhood of $800 for everything. I paid a
: premium for really nice 18' western red cedar planks so some
: costs might be saved here. I also waste a lot of epoxy and had
: to buy some extra so probably poured $50 worth in the trash. I
: also already own lots of woodworking tools that occasionally
: were used but if you don't have them, you could improvise.
: Nothing like a bandsaw and a nice router table foe some items
: but you can certainly get by without. One cost you need to add
: will be for plans and they range from about $100-$150 depending
: on what design you build.

: I think you should be able to build one of the popular designs for
: somewhere between $600-800 which should save you a fair amount
: over a kit. I thin the big cost in the kits is the milled
: lumber, forms and cost to ship these bulky & heavy items.

: Just my thoughts. And, I plan to build more boats from plans...

: Bob Beaullieu

Bob thank you for your thoughts and the careful accounting of your expenses. It helps clear the fog.

I hope some others will chime in as well.
This forum has been my hobby for more than a few years, love lurking. Some of the kayaks are true works of art/crafsmanship of the highest level.