I've been using the System Three that came with my Pygmy Tern kit and have been pleased with it. Like the other "name brands" it is kind of pricey compared to Raka. System Three does offer a great bargain with a $10 trial kit (shipping included) that contains resin, hardener, wood flour, silica, micro-balloons, some 4 oz. cloth, stir sticks, gloves and a squgee. Also included is their intro manual, "The Epoxy Book" with 50 pages of good info for a beginner like me . It was great to have small quanities of the various materials to try prior to starting the actual work on my boat. These experiments and the book saved my from some big mistakes, as has this list.

Thank you all for your wisdom and wit. Special thanks to Nick for making the board possible.

My question is; can you safely bond one brand/type of epoxy to another? i.e. put a patch on a cured but unfinished hull done with System Three using another brand such as Raka?

: I'm getting together my shopping list for my 1st 17' stripper canoe (I know
: this is a kayak board!!!) and I'm curious as to what's the standard in
: epoxy for a strip project. I've read a lot of literature & I'm curious
: as to what the seasoned builders prefer. System 3? West System? Raka?

: Here's pretty much what I've learned from reading various sources: West
: Systems is good & expensive. They provide great customer service.
: Their mix ratios and handling need to be more exact than other
: manufacturer's formulas.

: System 3 is another good product. Lots of people recommend their Crystal Coat
: for wetting the initial layers and then using the regular epoxy for fill.

: Raka seems to be used by several builders and is thinner than most other
: companies formulations. Is it similar to System 3's Crystal Coat?

: Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

: Thanks Bob H