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Karin:
I use .25 inch Masonite almost exclusively. I accept the weight as my process is better served with a rigid substrait.
I have glued canvas and linen to masonite with good results. I don't recommend using Elmers glue as they add corn starch as a filler, and the acrylic polymer they use is very cheap. Within 25 years, Elmers will separate into its parts and powder on you.
I have used pure acrylic polymer medium with good results, and also Gamblin PVA with good results. I sand the board very heavily with a rough paper, coat the board with the polymer or PVA and lay the linen on. I get the linen completely soaking with the glue. Roll it out with a rolling pin. I leave at least 8 inches of linen on all sides hanging over as I do a wrap around glue. When the front is dry, I do the same thing to the back with the flaps and glue and wrap one side at a time (trim to get even folds). The wrap helps tame the warping of the board.
I then seal the entire thing in at least three coats of gesso - front and back.
Another option you could consider that might be lighter than masonite is sheets of PVC plastic.
Are you objecting to the trampoline effect when you paint? If so, then you could continue to use canvas, but slide a backing board of foamcore behind the canvas which would help with the spring.
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