> I have found a place where I can get a complete gallon system for $15 Is
> it worth it? what are the properties of the stuff? How does it compare to
> the moden epoxies like west system?

I wouldn't trust anything that costs $15 per gal. Tell us more if you want better advice. Is it an adhesive? A coating? Does it cure at ambient temperature, or do you have to spray it with plural component pumps and heated lines? (I know of some 100% solids urethanes applied that way, but they cure in 7 to 10 seconds. They cost $22-30 /gal. in 55 gal. drumloads, but you wouldn't want them anywhere near a strip-built kayak.) How old is it? What is the shelf life? Who is the manufacturer? What is the source? What does the manufacturer's information say? Who do you know who has used it? What handling precautions are required? Are the vapors toxic? What solvents are in it? How and where do you dispose of unused portions, and at what cost? (around here, it costs $17/gal. to dispose of the stuff.)

Typically, in boatbuilding urethanes are used for topcoats only, because epoxy is subject to breakdown by ultraviolet radiation. There is an ongoing controversy about polymer coatings vs. traditional spar varnish in the boatbuilding community. Check out the WoodenBoat BBS on that subject. Most of us have decided that it's easier to touch up spar varnish every year or two rather than go to the labor, expense and mess of removing catalyzed finishes. The chemicals you need to do that are really nasty (methylene chloride is the principal component in most of them, and it's a known carcinogen), and if you sand it all off you have toxic dust all over your shop.

My opinion? You can't afford the cost of saving that much money.