The panels on a S&G kayak, being held in place with bits of wire, can shift out of position when moving the hull around.

Before mixing any epoxy, take some time to check that the panels are correctly positioned and fair (smooth curves/lines - no bumps or hollows). To hold its shape for epoxying, the wires should be snug. If tightening a wire to close a gap pulls a panel "out of fair", wedge a splinter in the gap before tightening the wire or sand off the high spot as required. Shape is more important than gaps (which fill easily).

Once you feel that the panels are well fitted you need to check/align the hull. With the hull propped level, place straight sticks (about 4 foot long) across the hull 4 feet from the bow and stern for reference, then stand back to see if the sticks are out of alignment (canted). If required, with the help of an assistant, twist the hull into alignment (this procedure is called "winding"). Panels and stitches should be re-checked after any winding.

Epoxying is really very easy. Make sure that everything is clean and you mix it thoroughly. Mix small batches of epoxy. Do a trial run on some scrape wood stitched together to get a feel for how it works. Use a slow hardener to give yourself lots of working time.

I use pieces of thin plastic sheet cut into a "V" to make my fillets. Try a "V" about 5" long and 2" wide with a radius the size of a bottle cap at the point. Cut a couple of different shapes and find the one you like. Don't worry too much about the fillet - just get the right amount of epoxy (see the pictures in the books for an idea how much to use) in the corner, the tape will smooth things out anyway.

I hope this helps.

Hank