They use to split the fleet at State level anyway, into lightweight and heavyweight boats, because most of the originals or older boats were about in the 70 - 80 kg range in the platform, as opposed to the newer boats that were 20kg lighter, don't know if they still do that or not.

But nowadays ply boats can be built to the minimum, the originals used to have 2 x 4mm ply mid decks (8mm all up) little things like add up to heavy boats, and Gaboon wasn't around then, which helps keep boats lighter now.

Ply boats can be made as stiff, as light and as fast as glass boats, theres just a little bit more maintenance required. You can build in the tramp tracks and chainplates and have a hard time telling the two apart.

Regards