I've been looking at several different plans but since I know nothing about wooden kayaks, I can't decide on which one would be the best fit for me. I'm 6'00" 220lb and plan on using the kayak in bays and large & small rivers.
These are two that I'm considering, any suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated:)

http://www.clcboats.com/shop/boats/kayaks/chesapeakes/CLC-CHESAPEAKE-17.html

http://www.guillemot-kayaks.com/guillemot/node/30/detail

Have you looked at any of the Pygmy boats?

I guess the other question would be, how much wood working have you done. Not that it is necessary to be an expert, but it wouldn't hurt. Anyway, if your experience is somewhat sparse, it might be better to go for one of the easier stitch and glue models as opposed to a stripper.

My other suggestion is that if you are not good at taking on a project and sticking with it to completion, consider another course. Are you going for it because you want a kayak, or because you want a project?

I am a very experienced wood worker and have a shop full of equipment, but I have never built a boat and I have no ambition to do so. I let the experts at NC Kayaks build my new boat and I'd do it again and again without hesitation, but that's just me.

Magooch is correct in recommending a stitch-and-glue boat if you are not an experienced woodworker. I'm not either, but I have built 2 stitch-and-glue kayaks--one from a kit, one from plans--and also a small sailing boat (Barnegat Bay sneakbox--this one from photoenlarging a sketch in L. Frances Herreshoff's book The Compleat Cruiser ). Not being a particularly neat person, I ended up covered in epoxy, but I enjoyed building the boats. The kayak that I use most is a modified CLC Patuxent 17 that I built from their plans, and have now paddled for 14 years. CLC no longer offers the Patuxent, but I think you'll find the Chesapeake to be just right to build and paddle. There is a bond that you establish with a boat you've built yourself; you two are really companions together out on the water.

I haven't looked at Pygmy yet, but I may take a look. I want to build it because I'm tired of paddling around in my heavy slow canoe.

My budget is a little tight, so I'm trying to cut costs as much as possible.
Should I chose a different type of plywood, other than okoume, such as cedar? Is Okoume worth the extra money?
thanks

I would go to the CLC, and/or Pygmy websites and absorb everything that's there. I'm pretty sure any questions will gladly be answered and then some. They will also send you a nice catalogue (free).