Pat:
The blue water dreams are past but it would be nice to explore the coastlines of Nova Scotia and maybe go catch the odd fish.
The building of a boat will probably never happen for me although our house sits about a hundred yards from a river that is tidal and can accomodate deep draft vessels.
Books on the West system have been read. Epoxy would be used if building. For me strip plank would seem the easiest as my skills may not equal that of competent boatbuilders.
There is also the navigation factor of which I know little and staying under the contrails of overflying jets may not be the most advisable system inshore.
"home built ferro-cement monstrosities"
Perhaps that is why they are for sale. My understanding is they are very labour intensive to build and require considerable skill to do a proper job.

Well, maybe I'd better start picking some trees next time I go to the farm.

Egon