While reading this interesting discussion on plywood thickness I got to thinking about just when did Stitch and Tape (S&T) become Stitch and Glue (S&G) ?

Two of my early kayak projects were English made S&T kits that I built around 1974-75. They were called stitch and tape because the only fiberglass used was the seam tape that connected the panels. They were very easy to build, very light, and above all very easy to repair when scratched as there was very little fiberglass to deal with.

I kept one of them for 20 years and all that was required was an occasional coat of varnish on the marine plywood (4mm).

I understand the need for fiberglass on a woodstrip due to the softness of the wood, and the types of glues used, but have never understood why a tough marine grade plywood hull needed to be glassed. This not only increases weight, and work, but makes repair much more difficult.

I stopped building woodstrip kayaks(8) several years ago due to the frustration of having to be so careful not to bang, scratch, or damage the boat.

So, why are S&G's now coated with fiberglass/epoxy.

Thanks,

Tom