I am currently stripping the hull of my first boat and have been following many of the threads on various glass layups. Like most people I would like the boat to be as light as possible without sacrificing needed strength. It is easy to realize that 6oz glass is going to be stronger and heavier than 4oz, that 2 layers are stronger than one, and that it is the glass on the tension face that does all of the work.

While the strength provided by a given layup could be determined through testing or calculation, that is only half of the issue. The other half is how much of that strength is needed and how much is redundant. I realize the answer depends on a lot of variables regarding boat loading, conditions, hull shape, ect. so I am looking for answers in the form of failures.

Has anyone had a structural failure of the fiberglass while paddling and what were the circumstances, extent of damage, and the construction?

Thanks
Rich