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Bamboo, Steel, Epoxy and Abaca?Yes. The Ultimate Bamboo Sleds are constructed in a proprietary process using a steel keel and steel ribs with steel cross ties.See the bottom frame of a T12 
Selected bamboo is dried and processed with preservative. The bamboo poles are fitted to the steel skeleton and cramped and epoxied together. See the bamboo that goes into a T12 
Once the hull has been basically assembled it is completely coated with three applications of marine epoxy resin, at the same time the bamboo to bamboo joints are caulked with abaca rope and epoxy resin, both inside and outside the hull. The steel is treated with epoxy-oxide prior to construction. Junctions are supported by layers of 400 g.s.m. fiberglass cloth and epoxy resin, inside and outside . The hull is now painted on the inside with epoxy primer and 3 coats of epoxy enamel prior to fitting the reserve flotation material. This consists of sheets of 3 inch thick closed cell EVA foam which provides 190 kilos (approximately 400 lbs) of reserve buoyancy per square meter. (The TUBS 12 has 700 lbs of reserve buoyancy + the buoyancy of the bamboo.) The decking of marine grade plywood is now bolted and epoxied to the cross-ties and sealed giving a solid watertight joint. The space under the deck is totally filled with the EVA foam so that damage to the hull bottom will only give rise to a slight water inflow as the space is completely filled with EVA foam. The transom is constructed from laminations of marine plywood and is bolted and epoxied onto the hull then faired off to follow the shape of the hull sides. The foredeck is now bolted to the forward crossties and epoxied to the sides. Superstructure, as required, is now added with all parts being screwed/bolted and epoxied. The final treatment is the painting of the exterior with epoxy primer and epoxy enamel, fitting of aluminum protection to the rails and transom top. The outboard brackets are bolted on. The keel has TUBS proprietary stabilisation and tracking devices fitted and trim correctors are added to the stern. 
SummaryThe Ultimate Bamboo Sleds are virtually unsinkable, incredibly strong and track and handle beautifully.In addition the boats are incredibly low cost, the TUBS 12 hull, finished, has a low price of $US500 ex-factory!! . 
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