One reason to build a SOF kayak may be a lower environmental impact of the SOF versus S&G or Strip-built kayaks (or plastic).

Has anyone seen any studies supporting this hunch?

I suppose, the analysis typically involves energy consumed in creating the materials and during construction, environmental impact of waste during the construction and after use, as well as the overall length of use.

When I built my S&G, it was an eye opener how much waste was created during the process. After the use of the epoxy, the boat becomes 'more' of a plastic boat, than a wooden one. Also, it would seem that the fiberglass used will be around for a very long time after the kayak has lost its use.

Kayakers strike me as people, who like being in nature. It would seem, that a good portion would be interested in preserving the environment as well.

We obviously cannot go back to putting animal skins on wooden frames (would that really lower the environmental impact?), but what is the lowest impact method? Somewhere, I forgot where, I read about a kayak made from recycled plastic and another one, which consisted of biodegradable plastic (whatever that is). These methods probably yield better results, than simply replacing the core material of fiberglass and epoxy boats with wood, bamboo (see the recent news on a surfski made like that), or used chopsticks (as some guy in Japan did).

Regards,

Ruedi