Foam and Fiberglass Ama Construction Other than a solid log, the foam and fiberglass ama is in my opinion the easiest to build. I'm using the method employed to build tens of thousands of surfboards since the 1960's. The ama design used here as an example would suit a shunting or tacking canoe of 16'-18' (4.8-5.5M) It can be connected to the cross beams by either a direct (Hawaiian) connection or an indirect (almost everyone else) method using struts. You may wonder why a lightweight construction method is used to build an ama that is partially used for ballast. My philosophy is that if you build it light you can always add weight in the form of water bottles or lead dive weights. If you build it heavy, you have no options. In very light winds or when paddling, you don't want to be moving any unnecessary weight. Begin by cutting out a 4mm (3/16") plywood shear web drawn to the side view profile of your ama design....