Hi,
Forgot about this thread :-
Firstly, "A Skin On Frame boat will be even quicker again." - Definitely agree. I've just built a Yost Sea Cruiser (17' wood-frame SOF kayak). Designed by Tom Yost - see www.yostworks.com for a whole collection of FREE SOF designs - including folders - built by many happy paddlers. Mine's still to get on the water, but it looks great in it's black PVC skin, and with paulownia framework is very light.
Secondly, to Joust's questions:
It paddles very well. Sat down a bit low in the stern initially, but I moved the seat forwards and it's fine. As it was designed under the 'old' rules it is bigger volume than neccessary, but paddles great and quite stable for a TK1.
I never got around to weighing it, but it should come out at around 12kg's as built. I added a commercial footrest/tiller, rudder and seat so it's probably closer to 14kg. Still pretty light but heavier than today's carbon & kevlar TK1's.
I'd certainly recommend it, and it looks better than a fiberglass one - and a hell of a lot cheaper. If you want to race, a newer fiberflass one will probably go faster but as a general fitness/paddling kayak for rivers and lakes it is excellent. I am about to start a strip one, and will use this as my backup kayak (another Payne design - he does great kayaks!).
Good luck if you decide to build one. Didn't take too long.
Regards,
Darren