: While I'm at it, what is the expected life span for these original Inuit and
: Aleut designs? I expect the wood frames would last longer than the skins
: but were these one or two trip things or did they last the whole
: "season"? Did they re-lash the wood for the next build? If they
: were throw away designs then I guess appearance might be a consideration.

Parts could be recycled and these boats could be repaired for many years.

A frame would outlast many skin coverings. When the frame needed repairs the skin would be removed to get access for relashing, or replacement of broken parts. At that time new skins, or patched skins could be reinstalled.

I believe I've read that the skins typically lasted one season. They didn't decompose in the cold weather, but without being tanned they were likely to rot over the summer. I purchased a reprint of an Innuit history which had an illustration showing the cutting and sewing of three walrus hides for covering an umiak.

I don't know if the skins used for covering the boats needed to be chewed to soften them. I've never seen pictures of that being done for boat coverings, but I have read of it being done for softening seal and walrus hides for garment leather for boots, gloves, hats, jackets, etc.

George Putz, in his book on canvas covered boats, has a picture of a person chewing on wood for a kayak rib, to soften it before bending it into place.

Frames that were purchsed, stolen, or found abandoned--and which ended up in museums through those means, seem to last a good long time.

PGJ