I am not going to rain on Bill's parade. However, I will offer my opinion.

Bill's skin doesn't have flex, because of the 'glass and epoxy.

I think one of the benefits of a SOF boat is the flex of the skin, and the frame. It's a bit more organic cutting through the water, especially in chop and slamming swell.

On my non-flexible glued up Yost style wood frame, having some flex to the skin seems good to me. Not having give in the frame makes me nervous, so the next one will have deeper gunwales, and a lashed frame. But I paddle in ocean swell sometimes, and surf in shore break. On the other hand, plywood frame and stringer construction Kleppers have made trans-oceanic expeditions.

On the other hand, a nice strip built or stitch and glue (or commercial glass boat) is also nice.

Dang, I've got too many other hands in this post.

I think the proper response is to have a hard boat for expeditions, and your favorite flavor of SOF to be a lighter, easier to manage day tripper. I'm at the point now where 4-5 different boats ought to be enough

Brian

: Well first off, most "conventional" SOF skins have a fairly short
: life, having to be recovered every 3 to 5 years with normal use. The
: "hybrid" skin (good name) should be permanant, so far in 3 years
: of use shows no wear at all. The glass skin has no stretch, doesn't need
: it as it's quite a bit stronger than a conventional fabric skin. Still
: it's experimental, I've only had one for 3 years so can't tell you how
: it'll hold up really long term. It's kinda hard to rush that process

: Bill H.