: Hello All My 1st kayak - Great Auk is ready for staple removal. Any views on
: not filling the staple holes or is this a mad idea. I ask because I don't
: know what the final look will be once fibreglassed. Views appreciated.

: Also, finishing bow and stern with external pieces. Shall I laminate or carve
: pieces as per Nick's book - which is better?

: Peter

Hey Peter

As Don said, it's a judgement call. If you leabe the holes, you will get some dark spots on the surface as the broken grain on the wood will absorb more epoxy. If you pick the wood that you used to build, and cut little pieces to poke into the holes, and sand off, then you will have end grain showing also, but, the holes will be filled. You could use a waterbased putty and try to stain it with water based stain to match the boat, but that would be time consuming, and a pain to match. I have used spackle( white ) and stained it, but, when you do that, just remember that whatever color you use will darken when you apply the epoxy. So, you would have to do test pieces. It is possible to get a close match, and some would not notice them. Like was mentioned, test something you would like to try and see how it looks. Every boat and every paddler will be different, so, you will have to do what pleases you.

I would agree with the holes staying for asthetic value. Character! You can do the next one with the stapless method.

Rehd