I have only used Raka epoxies, but they've worked well enough I haven't wanted to try other epoxies. Like Jay said, the blush free hardener is great. The fast hardener does blush some, but it's a great "glue" epoxy for filleting joints, gluing on sheer clamps, laminating deckbeams, and scarfing your panels.

Do get the blush free for glassing. It takes a bit longer to set up, but you save time in not having to remove blush.

It wouldn't hurt to tape your seams before glassing. Since the Chesapeake has such hard chines, a lot of stress gets concentrated on that hard corner. 9 oz. glass tape is probably heavier than whatever thickness glass you are using inside the boat. Are you glassing the entire inside or just the cockpit area?

You'll get a "chemical bond" if you glass before the fillets are fully cured. If you wait for a cure, you should sand first, and then you'll only get a "mechanical bond". A chemical bond + mechanical bond is obviously stronger than just the mechanical bond, but whether the extra strength is really noticeable has been the subject of great debate.

If you used 4mm Okoume for your hull, I wouldn't worry about glassing inside for strength. You're probably not using the boat for whitewater. :) If you want a bit more abrasion resistance, double or triple up on the outside of the bow and keel area. You need abrasion resistance from everyday dings. If you are _really_ that worried about impact, then glass the inside, but it's probably unnecessary, unless you're landing a kayak full of 2 weeks' worth of gear in heavy surf on a rocky beach.

Shawn

> This has probably been asked and answered before on this board but has
> anyone had any experience with Raka Epoxies and if so what do you think.
> Also If I am going to glass the inside of my chesapeake 17, should I tape
> the seams first also. If not, should I glass the inside while the fillets
> are still uncured. Thanks.