Okay, years have passed following this forum, I am very near the start of my first Strip boat. I usually work in composites, but honestly the boats I have seen here have been a source of inspiration.

My boat will be an 18 ft modification for seakayaking of a 'new rules' 17ft sprint kayak. Along the lines of a Scorpion for those familiar. The boat will have a 16.5" max beam My forms are ready, but as yet I have not the strips to go ahead.

Couple of questions:

What glues are suggested to join the strips prior to glassing (Does it matter?). (I'll be glass outside, probably pre-preg carbon inside over a pro-set epoxy seal coat (that might change)).

This will be a race boat, and in keeping with the sprint boat heart, my goal is to stay under 14kg (sprint boats are 12kg, I built one a while back for Marathon that weighs 6.9kg). Has anyone tried balsa for strips? Anything else exotic that's light? I'm a little intimidated by the pospect of working with wood....but I'll get over it. Hoping to have this in the water by the end of July, if not, then New Years Day 2004.... Once under way, a website will follow.

Thanks in advance for any replies!

Jeff H