I finished the Outer Island, my first boat-building project, on the first day of spring 2006. At Jay Babina's suggestion (to accommodate my size 12 feet) I modified the deck over the cockpit. increasing the depth from 1/4 inch by my feet to 1" at the coaming. I'm not sure in retrospect that I needed the additional room, but it will make sliding in and out of the ocean cockpit a little easier.

This is my first woodworking project apart from a couple of cedar paddles. I ripped my own strips from cedar, ash, and sapele boards, then just let the wood reveal its wishes. Coaming, external stems, hatch knobs and toggles are all made up from laminates of ash and sapele to accent the deck pattern. Thanks to Jay, TwoPaddles and all the good folks on Nick's Kayak Building Bulletin Board for getting me through it.

I was warned this could become addictive. Nevertheless I've already purchased plans to build Bjorn Thomasson's Isfjord, and haven't much doubt a SOF lies in my future!