system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
Why is there a limit to how big wooden boats can be?

I recently read that boats made solely of wood have an upper limit in dimensions if they are to float. While I instinctively thought that this made sense, I could not quite come up with concrete reasons for it. Could anyone explain?
gpt
A boat is structurally very similar to a bridge (or an airplane wing). At its worst case (e.g. in very heavy seas) it will be supported by the ends, or entirely in the center with one/both ends cantilevered. For a given length, mass, etc, a certain amount of strength is required to meet the structural needs of a boat hull.

All materials have some limit in strength that creates an upwards boundary for the maximum size structure practical with that material. Wood's limit For boats is a few hundred feet. Steel can go a few thousand.

Of course you can play tricks (multiple articulated hulls) to create a boat that is bigger than the "limit".