I wonder if TC would have changed his mind if he'd seen the Ferriby, Dover and Caldicot boats.
It's interesting to ponder on whether the Mesolithic and Neolithic boats used skins as a hull and the introduction of metal tools and the consequential improvement in woodworking techniques brought about a revolution in wooden-hulled boat design.
Perhaps the need to move livestock over open waters was the catalyst to improve boat design. I wouldn't like to transport half a dozen seasick cows across waters such as the Penland Firth in a skin-hulled boat. I've known skippers who'd rather detour around the top of the Orkneys rather than sail through the Firth.