I second the stitch and glue approach. Like Silver Hilton said, there are no frames to catch stuff, there is no need for a second floorboard system and the boat is much lighter and stronger. The stitch and glue boat can flex when needed and the chines are heavily reinforced with glass, inside and out. When you stitch the panels together with wire (or) your boat takes basic shape the first weekend, and then it is kinda "fill in the blanks". I've got 80 ounces of glass on the bottom of mine and it can take some very rough conditions (impacts). But if you plan to do a lot of low water Sol Duc or Calawah, you'll want to invest in an aluminum boat and spend some time with a guide. For most everything else, the wood stitch and glue, will work great and has some advantages. It is a very quiet boat to row, transmitting very little sound and they don't get cold like Al. Mine is now about 12 years old and is still in great shape requiring very little maintenance. Frame built boats require a lot of maintenance. Aluminum requires the least...