I know, tough to say definitively but you made some good points so I appreciate the thoughts.

There are end toggles, there are elastics on the cockpit for maps and in the rear behind it. Elastics are holding the hatch covers (attached through webbing loops held in place with through the hull stainless steel bolts, not glassed on the inside) - will potentially tear gear but I do not plan to use the boat for more than short day trips so not much gear will be in there aside from the occasional dry bag with spare clothes, snack and water, plus pump/float or other basic rescue gear. No deck lines, but I can add easily, though there are enough elastics and handles to hold on to for the easy conditions I intend to paddle (mostly flat water with wind waves of about 1-2 feet and some occasional up to 3-4 foot wind waves on inland waters). With the elastics holding the hatch covers in place I would be weary of carrying a spare paddle there too, so that rigging is not ideal - might need to install sturdier hatch covers...

Yes, the hatches will likely leak some despite that they have almost continuous soft material seals on the covers. Something I can fix, I think, relatively easy, even if I have to replace the lip or glass it.

As for plastic, I already have that covered. What I want is lightweight boat with reasonable speed and not a total dud in the handling compartment, as i like to paddle in windy/choppy conditions (not a play or rolling boat either). Don't have the time to build one or the money to spend on a custom build or an off the shelf model in the up to low 40lb range...

The boat size is a good fit for my 180-190 lb dry weight and large feet/long legs (foot pegs will be removed and a foam block used against the front bulkhead).

I know what you are saying about the market... My own SoF creation sold for the cost of materials only, despite being almost unused ...