[Yet it is a part of life that a living creature needs to eat other living creatures to survive. It seems far more respectful to make use of such a creature for more than just food. Of course if it is less durable than wood, his own people likely would have preferred to use the skin for clothing rather than a boat.]

How do you even patch it to ensure it remains watertight? It truly does sound like a very interesting method even if it wouldn't be practical in my world with the areas that have strong currents.