> After its first season, my CLC Chesapeake 17 LT has the usual nicks and
> scrapes. The most wear, however, occurred at the lower part of the bow,
> where the kayak encountered pebbles and sand during landings--the single
> layer of glass is pretty much worn through. I will probably add two strips
> of fiberglass to patch up this area, but was wondering if anyone has tried
> a more durable solution--maybe a copper strip or a half piece (slit
> lengthwise) of tygon tubing siliconed at this location? (What about Kevlar
> instead of fiberglass for durability)? Thanks.

I'm a safty freak. I put a brass strip from bow to 30" pass the flat. screw to inner stem I improvised. Never have any problem. The boat was heavy, but ,hell, it would a life time.