: A stripper or S&G boat in the 45 lb range is generally comparable in
: load-to-catastophic-failure terms when compared to a 65 lbs glass boat. A
: wood-cored boat may sustain initial damage more easily in the form of deep
: scratches or bruises, but it takes a substantial hit to actually break
: bits off.

A few years ago a S&G builder was doing his end pour outside when a gust of wind blew his boat over, striking a log I believe, and essentially broke the end off his boat. The photo he provided was definitely thought provoking. Fortunately the builders forum had many good ideas to save the kayak, and I'm sure the boat was successfully launched. It seems like a reasonable time to mention what this means to me.

That story has had some impact on my own decision to use Sweet's 4oz S-glass in my entire lay-up on my Guillemot 17 stripper. The hull exterior has an additional 4oz S-glass layer on the football. I also decided to use Sweet's 2.2 oz Kevlar as a partial second layer on the hull interior, under the seat, and running just past both bulkhead locations. The deck will have a second S-glass layer around the cockpit, with some 4-inch wide carbon deck reinforcement.

I am paying attention to Nick's lay-up schedule, and seem to be making up my own sort of expedition lay-up. In addition to lakes, I plan to use the boat on rivers up to class II, and maybe some day I'll get to go play in some ocean surf and rock gardens.

I am trying to keep the epoxy weight reasonable, but I will accept what I create. I will let the forum know how much my Guillemot weighs when it's completed, but I expect to be well under the weight of an all-fiberglass boat. Given my available time for boat building, it will be a while until completion.

Chris