Most of us don't have the engineering knowledge to do the calculations aplicable to analyzing composite strength. We listen to what has and hasn't worked for others to develop a feel for construction techniques, and work it by the seat of the pants. If a kayak fails, you are less likely to die than if an airplane fails. If you know you need strength because failure in the situations you paddle would be dangerous, you do what civil engineers, rather than aerospace engineers, do: overbuild a bit.

> We tend to think we can improve on asthetics, strength,
> functionality, or all of the above. As you well know we are not always
> right. I think what is needed is a basic set of guidelines