The move toward thinner planking and lighter glass, with, consequently, more flexible hulls, probably does not help either.

I agree on the lighter build issues related to flexing. I am always surprised when i am ready to launch sitting in the surf on the shoreline struggling with the spray skirt I can feel the sides of the kayak flexing up around my hips and squeezing . This is only noticeable when the area under my seat is alternately floating with the incoming wave and then dropping back down on the sand again as the wave washes out.

When I start glassing a kayak i try to think where do i want to reinforce . I have chosen to really build up the area under the seat and down the keel. Another area that gets the extra carbon fiber and kevlar is the back of the cockpit. The extra reinforcement is alway on the inside of the hull. I wonder if thicker strips and cove and bead construction would help. I can not use ply construction because of weight issues. I have to carry the petrel down a really steep hill and along a soft sand beach. So i have chosen to use more glass and less wood . I have no idea if more wood and less glass is stronger.