Hi Brian;

I tried that before I ever started construction. I took a short cedar strip and drove about 10 staples into it, and then removed them. It left 20 pretty innocent looking holes. Then I steamed, dried, and sanded 3 times in succession. Lastly, I put some polyeurethane varnish on to simulate clear epoxy.

It was not a pretty sight, the holes were all not only visible, but the darkening around them was larger than the original hole. That's when I went to Sam's Club and bought 9 rolls of duct tape . . . ;-)

The experience I gained with the hull allowed me to strip the deck (other than those initial sheer-to-sheer swoops) in a week, using only ONE roll of tape - I think I finally have it, as they say . . .

Best Regards, Spidey