Thanks for your reply Matt. I appreciate the help. I looked at the 15' daytripper on the DK site, is that the one your talking about? I was a little confused if that was the same boat as the 18' on your site (only shorter) or if it is a different design. It didn't look like the same boat in it's picture but maybe I was mistaken. I like the 18' hull on your site and will eventually use the boat to tour the Puget Sound area and want a suitable craft. There needs to be the possibility for two people plus gear but it will be a solo boat 90% of the time. 18' just seemed really big for a solo boat.
If the daytripper is the same hull design could I just scale the 18' down by 15% and get the same boat? I don't want to sound like a cheapskate but I have plenty of experience working with wood as well as fiberglassing and don't really need all of the construction manuals that come with DK's download for $50 & would rather spend my limited funds on materials if I could, which is why I chose your free plans. That said, I would gladly pay for plans for a boat if it would suit my needs better and be a better fit for me. Maybe you could let me know If I'm on the right track and if not maybe recommend a boat better for my needs:
-I'm 6', 260, a sometimes second paddler would weigh less than 160lbs and I would probably never exceed 50 lbs of gear. So I would carry between 250 and 300 most of the time but would occasionally ask 450-500 of the boat.
-I would primarily paddle large freshwater lakes or the straights of the puget sound, which is usually very calm (and when it's not I won't be paddling
Say 10 kt winds and less than two foot swells, most of which will be ship/ferry wakes.
-I'm a novice paddler, not a complete noob but new to touring and paddling big water.
-I would like to be able to use a double blade paddle so a slightly narrower beam would be nice, or slightly lower gunnel at the aft/center solo paddle position.
-Whichever boat I build I would like to add decked cargo holds at the bow and stern, possibly watertight with hatch covers so the boat will be slightly heavier than originally designed.
I know this is a lot and I must sound like I'm looking for the perfect boat for free (wouldn't that be great!) but I understand that isn't possible. I am looking for a boat that fits my needs though and for the least amount spent as possible, which is why I haven't bought a boat for a couple thousand bucks yet and am bothering you guys instead
I am open to suggestion and can make concessions I just don't know where I should make those concessions yet...Thanks for your insight. I appreciate your help and knowledge.