T&T: Advantages and Disadvantages of Cold Molded Epoxy Hull vs. steel hull

[LA Licata]

Dear list,

I know I should already know this, but I do not.

A builder has suggested that in lieu  of a steel hull and aluminum  
superstructure, I should consider a cold molded epoxy hull.

Now, I thought I knew what "cold molded epoxy" hull was but Ron from  
the list says it is different.

What I thought I saw being built at one shipyard was a mahogany  
framed and planked hull being incased in epoxy.

Ron tell me that is not cold molded epoxy building technique, but  
could be a viable technique, although quite heavy, with a fuel  
consumption hit.

So, as I understand it, a cold molded epoxy hull is made of of strips  
of wood bonded together and then, in the best of the building  
techniques, vacuum bagged while epoxy is pumped in to finish the hull.

The latter technique makes for a strong, but light hull. The former  
technique is not true cold molded epoxy, but could make a strong, but  
heavy hull.

I can see some obvious advantages over steel (no rust, no sweating,  
no electrolysis) but if this is such a great building technique as  
the builder espouses, then why is it not used more often..

Disadvantages: if I hit the rocks, the steel would be better....maybe?

Help, please. If you answer privately, I d intend to summarize what I  
learned and repost, without attribution.

TIA.

Lee