"Fair" is hard to define. Structurally you just don't want any sharp changes in the surface, so it does not need to be too fair. Aesthetically, smoother looks better. Varnish will accentuate any bumps or dimples. On the deck you can do a lot of sanding to even out the surface. You don't want to get the deck too thin but it can afford to be thinner than the hull. Aesthetically you might be happier doing any filling on the inside.

BTW, Nice pattern!

> I chose an artistic detail that produced several low spots, due to the
> unfortunate combination of my inexperience as a stripper (I could actually
> watch my skills improve from the hull to the deck, thanks for the
> suggestion to do them in that order, Nick) and from the way the detail
> strips went together. I dread having to fill in these many small spots
> with matching colored and shaped patches. How much depth can be made up in
> epoxy? I like the idea of compensating with a clear fluid instead of
> puzzle pieceing together scores of different colored, different shaped
> patches.

> I also have many spots where there are gaps in the joints, not just in
> long, straight bead/cove joints, but in irregular, curving square-edged
> board joints. I think wood putty or epoxy-wood flour will cut down the
> draft blowing through the worst of these, but I am looking for some
> guidance on how large they can be and still be ignored. I mean, what
> minimum size must be fixed? Toothpick sized, with the grain? Will that
> show? I already have used approximatley 6% of the world's known reserves
> of staples, so a "jewelry quality" finish is no longer an issue,
> but I would like a reasonably clear and smooth surface. I am sure this is
> the time to make it so, rather than waiting to do it at the glassing or
> varnishing stage.

> By the way, for those of you confused by my description of the artistic
> (hehe) detail and why it is giving me grief, here is the directory of my
> pics (no page yet, just pics). For those of you interested in seeing the
> early stages of the construction process, check the same directory. The
> filenames with the letter "a" in them are thumbnails.

> http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Olympus/7217/kayak/img /

> All input is welcome. Thanks in advance.

> Ed Valley