: Is this a Yost style SOF (plywood ribs) or a traditional SOF (steam bent
: ribs)or perhaps a Baidarka?

: Bill H.

Good question, Bill. Leaning towards the Baidarka, for no other reason than liking it's distinctive appearance. Need to search/read up a bit more on the overall performance/characteristics of the design. Came across a post Tom Clark circa '95 re: 'Thoughts on building the Baidarka', by which he describes his construction of a George Dyson kit. I've seen some other aluminum frames out there in my web browsing, but have done no comparisons of one to the next.

Upon further thought after my initial post, guess my major concern between a wood vs. aluminum frame would be the resulting 'feel' of the boat. Having bicycled forever on frames of various composition, know that the materials (and their geometry) have a significant bearing on how the end product feels. Don't know how much that carries over to boat, but can't help but think it does?

Don't want a boat that is so rigid that it beats you up, much like many aluminum bicycle frames can do over long rides. Thinking the long boat should have some degree of flex. Seems using small gauged wood components would inherently allow for this. Wondering if the aluminum framework is overly rigid, or if that should even be a concern in such a boat?

Todd