Lightweight cloth with "ribs" of carbon fiber is probably the strongest/lightest for distributed loads. For point loads (hitting sharp rocks) Kevlar on the inside probably is stronger. It is hard to get weight savings with kevlar because it absorbs a lot of resin. Also look into S-glass.

> Construction on my Night Heron starts tonight!

> I'm still not entirely sure how I'm going to do my fiberglassing schedule.
> I plan on 6 oz glass on the outside of the hull, with an extra 2"
> tape along the keel for abrasion... nothing exotic here. However, what do
> you think of a very light (like 2 oz) glass covering for the interior and
> topsides, reinforced underneath with 1 inch kevlar or carbon tape laid out
> like stringers? I'd probably put five stringers lenthwise along the hull,
> and then around stress points like hatches, the back deck, and the
> cockpit, run longitudinal strips of the tape to protect the shape.

> As I paddle in a lot of rough water (the S.F. Bay and northern CA is no
> picnic!) I can't afford to sacrifice durability, but I'm very interested
> in minimizing the weight. Let me know what you think - thank you.

> Nathan