: Actually, this might be too much wood. There is a lot of evidence that using
: thinner strips of wood, say 3/16 or 1/8th inch thick gives you a material
: that is almost as hard to break as one made from 1/4 inch strips, but is
: much more flexible -- and therefore more likely to bend on impact, rather
: than break. Most of the tests used a similar glass/resin covering, and
: merely changed the wood thckness. Adding a second layer of glass would
: more than restore the strength lost from using the more flexible, thinner
: wood core.

: George Roberts likes using strippers in fast water, and he has previously
: said that he builds them from multiple layers of thin glass cloth over
: 1/8th inch thick strips.

: I wouldn't bother about staple less construction, fancy stripping patterns,
: bookmatched strips, or 8 layers of varnish. With thin strips bead and cove
: edges are less necessary, too. you cna build a very serviceable and pretty
: boat in a short time

: Hope this helps.

: PGJ

Thanks Paul, I believe I read a thread about this awile back on this board. Thanks for reminding me I will look it up. My main objective here is to build a serviceable boat quickly and cheaply with the strength characteristics of a sea kayak. But alas, not being an engineer I need to do it the old fashioned American way, by trial and error, and accepting advise of others before me.
Thank you for your sound advise and not trying to make me feel like a moron.

Thank you, Elliott