Thanks for the info guys, I was as you were Labrat a bit worried about the strength, as it lighter than WRC and thought of upping the dimension but I guess i will stay with the plans as per Kudzu. As he says change something and you are on your own.
I have used paulownia in a previous strip built Redfish kayak a few years ago I enjoyed the build of this but they take a lot of time that we don't always have and now i am getting on
bit older I like the idea of the light weight of skin on frame construction, i will be ordering my plans for a Curlew in the next few weeks. Pics below of the kayak and a skin on frame canoe, the canoe was completed just before Christmas and has had a couple of outings Narrabeen lake and middle harbour upper reaches. Have had some fun so far but I like the idea of a light weight kayak. so here I go.