: Hello,

: First, I really like the kayaks discussed here, and have bought books and
: plans and am looking forward to building one in the comming months.

: However I was thinking the other night ... I have heard many people talk
: about the dangers (to personal health) of the "Epoxy and
: Fiberglass" construction method, and I sometimes think that it is a
: shame that once you have created this beautiful wooden structure, you have
: to go and use a "modern" material to complete the boat.

: Now, I understand that using epoxy and fiberglass increases the strengh and
: durability of the final craft, but would it not be possable to build one
: complete from wood ? This would just feel more "natural" to me.
: Yes I know I could make a "skin on frame", but this does not
: have the "looks" of an all wooden kayak.

: Is weight the primary reason ?
: Could you not just make the strips thinner, and build it around a frame like
: in the "skin on frame" kayak ?

: Ian

Ian, methods of construction and materials for building a boat follow from resources available. If your goals include intangibles like "beauty", "natural", or even "environmentally benign" then you've got some fun work ahead besides which glues to use. You could make a kayak out of 1/4" plywood that wouldn't require any epoxy or glass, you could make one out of pvc pipes and tyvek. The results would be something less optimum from standpoints of durability or weight. Once wood gets thin enough then only a composite combining waterproofing and skin strength will suffice. Seems to me you've got some ideals over what is natural or modern to compromise in order to make something real.