I think hardwood on the bow offers some strength advantages due to its higher compressive strength, but a couple layer of glass will provide most of the strength you need. Just try to slow down a little before paddling straight into a dock.

> I am stripbuilding av a seekayak and the hull looks more or less like a
> Sirius. I have used an internal piece of wood in both the stern and the
> bow. When I read Schades book he suggest the use of an external bowpiece.
> Do I need that? I have managed to fit the strips almost perfect so there
> is no need for covering something. But I wonder if an external piece of
> wood will be stronger. I suppose there must be somekind of difference in
> strength when the fibers runs along the bow and when they end in the
> bow??? But does that difference matter when the glass covers it?

> Fritjof Karlsson