: Guys, I am not so much interested in longevity or alternatives. No
: offense, but I am trying to recreate the old ways here in Africa
: ;-)

I started with your same goal, but several smart friends of mine noticed me exactly what charlie told you.
The Inuit way wasn't about sewing sealskins... it was more about building efficient boats the cheapest and easiest.
They used to build them with tools, woods and skins they could easily find there (and this was their "old way").

So maybe you can recreate the original old ways with power drills, nylon lashings, the wood you bought from the carpentry... and canvas/nylon fabric.

:)))