: One option is to built a comperable SOF design that can be used as
: an alternative to
: an easily scratched stripper, especially when conditions warrant.

: A potential patch on an SOF skin is a non-issue vs a potential deep
: gouge in a strip boat.
: A patched skin is easy to accomplish, and hardly noticable...Out of
: sight, out of mind.

: I've been paddling my strippers recently, and the care required on
: the shore, and in shallow water
: are almost not worth the effort, unless it doesn't matter to you...
: though it does to me.
: My SOF's on the other hand get set down anywhere on a rocky shore,
: and require far less attention.

: Strippers are a thing of beauty however, and that's why I build
: them in the first place.

: Tom

: My 15 year old SOF Baidarka and newest glassless stripper at the
: lake. The Neoprene / Hypalon coatings
: on the SOF have proven extremely durable. I've varnished a few
: small scratches on the stripper so far.

Glassless stripper? What provides the cross-grain strength?

The lighter the boat the easier it is to prevent damage from gravel etc. I enter and exit the boat in the shallows and tuck the boat under my arm when on land. Also a semi-gloss finish does not show up scratches (or construction defects) as much as glossy. However I must admit there are very few rocks where I usually paddle and I know where they all are by now . . .