: 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

The downside to trying to match the color of the strip is just that, you can spend a lot of time and in the end, you can still see them. If you were careful and kept them fairly well lined up, leave them, they add character. From 10' away you really can't notice them. And it is a lot of work to fill them.

That said, if you leave them open, when you glass the inside, they can be a source of air bubble under then glass as the epoxy sets up. Just keep an eye on that. I used Lepage's wood putty in a shringe, lighter then the wood but not really anymore noticeable but the air bubble problem is eliminated.

Good luck

Greg