: 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).

I remember reading in Epoxyworks about a guy making a boat reinforcing epoxy with natural fibers, and not finishing it with any UV protectors. According to the article, the builder's logic was that if properly stored away from the sun the boat should last decades. But if just left out in the sun the whole thing should break down in ten to fifteen years... However i know nothing about how biodegradeable Epoxy is.

I love the idea of using Bamboo strips in Boats. I think I remember seeing a strip decked CLC boat where the guy used bamboo strips and it was gorgeous. The strength to weight ratio of bamboo seems extremely enticing, altho i would think you'd still want glass to reinforce that unidirectional strength. I know guys also use bamboo strips for ribs in SOF's.

I know I've tried to find a decent supplier of Bamboo out here around Baltimore and I have not been successful (of a building grade imported from China). However, there are always folks around here cutting it down. I got a big pile of it drying in the garage, but i doubt the species is the strongest. We'll see. The most difficult part is going to be planeing the stuff down without a fancy machine...