John,

With virtually every surface on the PDR of the planar type, I don't think you will gain anything in lightness by stripping instead of the specified plywood construction. Stripping's great advantage is in the reproduction of designed, organic curves.

You could switch that plywood reality if you redesign the PDR to be a round chined hull, but that will do some very interesting things to the handling of the boat under sail.

I don't know if you guys are following this at all, but the first, Texas 200 is in full swing right now at the southern tip of Texas. www.texas200.com

There are several PD Racers entered and they seem to be holding up in the 40 miles days between campsites. Last night, the whole fleet took their, end of day, stop at the Yacht Club in Corpus Christi, where they enjoyed showers and a great meal.

There is a daily report log at Duckworks Magazine online in which Chuck Leinweber phones a report in to his wife, Sandra and she posts the info on a running log. Kellan Hatch, who is sailing in a homebuilt inflatable trimaran, is using the SPOT locator beacon device on his boat and he is sending out regular position reports that link to Google Map and/or Google Earth.