Hi Bob,

For SOF's I started using WRC and epoxy coating them, now I use pine and oil them, both work, the later is cheaper and lots faster and holds up just as well. As I mentioned these boats regardless of if epoxy is used or not, need to be allowed to dry out between uses, it's not poly afterall.

I use marine grade ply for the frames but only because I've got a bunch on hand, otherwise I'd use exterior grade. I use birch underlayment 1/4" ply for the coaming lip, it's a little heavy but strong and I do epoxy the exposed edges and the top, gets a fair amount of wear from the skirt. The underlayment ply is also cheap and looks nice.

I've got one SOF with bulkheads, it's a royal PITA to do, do yourself a favor and use float bags and perhaps a sea sock, it's a heck of alot easier and less time consuming. Not alot of reason to make a simple boat complicated. A light line thru a drilled hole in each stem will allow you to easily pull the float bags to the ends (not my idea).

Bill H.