I paddled several SOFs at last weekend's R2K3 (thanks for a great weekend Joe) and I really liked the narrow beam and lowered volume of those boats. I paddled Ben Staley's new SOF and Mike Hanks Walrus. I paddled Bill Price's Seaspirit and Arica's Silver (Yes, Scott Dollmeyer drove up from Southern California... Scott, that was a real honor to see your masterpiece there). Anyway, I loved the feel of the skin boats and I like the idea of anthropometric measurements. I started thinking it would be fun to do one of the SOF designs but then, when it comes time to put stringers on, stop and use the ribs as forms for a stripper instead.

The downside is - you'd get a different hull shape without those stringers. Option two would be to build the strip version of Bobby's Seaspirit or drop the deck on another strip design (like a Redfish King). I would still use fabric on the deck; the stitching would go along the sheerline.

- Chip