Why not give the deck a mirror finish and let the hull take on the utilitarian finish. You can still get the gawkers at the launch site, but less headaches for you while launching and landing.

Shawn

: I know many who build "coffee tables" in this forum will cringe and
: frown upon my "abuse" of my yak, but I built this thing to use,
: not to look at.

: The net results of my test are minimal scratching down the keel, all within
: an inch or two of the seam, and a few stray scratches around the hull. I
: am going to put an extra 6" wide strip of cloth down the keel front
: to back, and go with that.

: I love my kayak and will get much use out of it. I can't imagine ever putting
: one of those mirror finishes on it. I'd be afraid to use it. Hope this
: information is helpful to you. I pick up my film tomorrow, and will post
: picks soon.

: Larry