It took me almost a year to start on a boat after our class at White River in October 1999. I built a Freedom 17 from plans I bought at Bear Mountain. The building went well thanks to the experience in the class and I launched the boat in March. I highly recommend building a boat...the process is fun and you end up with a well designed and well made boat that sure is fun to show off . This October I'm taking the Building the Maine Guide Canoe course through WoodenBoat School in Michigan. Next I want to build a marathon boat. George Warrington, Cincinnati, Ohio 45207