I have been looking at kayaks since spring. I troll craigslist looking for a used one and sofar, they all have been way over priced, and in many cases, asking more than new (its off season now).
Me, I am cheap, and even thought I live near a creek, I am not so sure how much use I will get from one. So….maybe building is the way to go. I stumbled on the concept of “foldable” kayaks the other day, and found lots of plans for it. The top ones on my list are:
http://www.instructables.com/id/8-Folding-Kayak/?ALLSTEPS Nice simple 8 ft boat, I have most of the materials but canvas already. So cost would be low. But…I think I would add a few mod’s from the boyscout builds below
http://sdicbsa.org/varsity/PDF/ModifiedKayakPlans.pdf is an updated version of this one http://www.troop37losaltos.com/Portals/0/Kayak%20Build/Kayak%20Plans-revised%202012%20Rev%204.pdf The first one does a better job spec’ing out the spreader boards. Both are relatively detailed plans but…They use 10 ft plywood. WTF you get get 10ft plywood boards. Most of the retail lumber yards around me are 8 ft. Oh here is another one that goes over curving the ends http://www.troop37losaltos.com/Portals/0/Kayak%20Build/Kayak%20Plans-revised%202012%20Rev%204.pdf
Old plans I found are
http://www.ida.net/users/tetonsl/kayak/ from pop-sci in the 1960s. Good plans and for 8 ft boat, but drawings are hard to read.
Some interesting links
http://www.arctickayaks.com/plans.htm whole bunch of plans that are older than me.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Build-a-Greenland-Kayak/?ALLSTEPS author has a bunch of links for plans
http://www.pouchboats.com/building.html
http://www.foldingkayaks.org/WP/?page_id=8
So…maybe someday I might get around to this. I would rather build the 10 foot version, but I haven’t the foggiest where to find a sheet of plywood that is 10 ft.
UPDATE:
got email on more links
http://www.starling-travel.com/wp-content/uploads/Kayak_Plans.pdf another good BS one
http://boysdad.com/archives/3710
http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/00/DM1999/articles/foldingkayak/index.htm good list of materials.