: Reading ahead in my Arctic Tern instructions, I see that the inside of the
: hull is supposed to be glassed. I was surprise, then, to read in The (Old)
: Kayak Shop, by Chris Kulczycki, that he recommends not glassing the inside
: OR the outside of the hull. On p. 92 he simply instructs the builder to
: seal the inside of the hull with epoxy. On p. 124 there's a discussion of
So what are you going to do with extra fiberglass? Do you do any other short cuts? The instruction do not give you an option and the difference in weight can easily be reduced by paddling. Structual integrity is more important when paddling out on the open water than saving a few ounces. Don't you think the instruction are there to follow and not deviate but this is what this forum is all about , To ask questions. I built a COHO and used all my materials which came with the kit and added fiberglass in certain area for added structural soundness which I felt it needed(a full length fiberglass strip on the inside between the shear and hull, (AFTER I cut the hatches out) for reaching up into the ends for this process. Do what you feel is best but you'll be paddling out there from your own construction...............Wayne G.: whether or not to fiberglass the outside of the hull.

: I've glassed the outside of my Tern hull already and laid a strip of glass
: from stem to stern on the outside hull seam. Does glassing the inside of
: the hull (rather than just sealing with a couple of coats of epoxy) really
: add anything to the structure besides weight? I'm thinking of just
: glassing the cockpit area.

: Opinions, anyone? Thanks.