Tom, It's great that you reference Hazen's book. He made some significant contributions to the boatbuilder's craft. As noted below on another posting, he has now taken the position of not supporting the building of boats with wood strip (and I also assume marine ply) with epoxy and glass.

After some research, I find that while his position is supported decently by considerable data with regards to vanishing species (trees) and depleted and overworked forests that supply traditional boatbuilding woods, he fails to completely flesh-out his argument from a more personal perspective. (I did not follow the link on his page to this end)

Perhaps this deserves a rather lengthy and seperately detailed thread for the purpose of discussing responsible boat building in this day and age?

As an aside; I was monitoring the Backwoods Epitaph Discussion Group after an invitation to join from the list owner and foud them to stridently deride Hazen for his viewpoints. They extended it to the level of inferring that he was insane and had somehow gotten back on the abuse trail of cocaine. All because he held a view that didn't neatly fit their folksy corner of the world.

It's fine to hold opinions that differ from another's chosen path. What's not fine is when the list owner chooses to denigrate an individual's person with vitriol that has no bearing on the discussion as presented. I guess the point presented by Hazen struck a little too close to home for the good old boys.

Ahhh, the wonders of the net. The meeting place for all things assinine. The place where anyone can assume the mantle of leadership.

Agree with Hazen or not, he still has data to support his argument and so far I'm still looking for the other side of the coin in this potential discussion.

Keep in mind that I say all this as I complete a fairly involved project building a performance sailing, canoe/trimaran in S&G epoxy glass build style.

We do need to look at this issue further as boat builders and work to mitigate the future problems of our chosen craft.

The forum is always open.

Chris Ostlind