: I searched the archives and haven't been able to find a discussion on the
: merits of precoating and not precoating.

Keep looking, we have had MANY longwinded discussions on this

: It seems like most people do a
: precoat, while a good deal of the reading I have done does not mention or
: recommend it.

We have at least two authors who regularly send comments to this board. (Nick and his competition) Sounds like an opportunity for someone to put this in their next book

: I understand the advantages of precoating, but don't know what disadvantages
: there are except the extra step.

Again, the argument is between days and dollars. You'll use a bit less resin and have a slightly lighter boat as a result, if you use a carefully applied precoat. However, you'll wait a day for the resin to set up before you can work on the glass. Also you may need to do a bit of light sanding to remove a run or two.

Personally, I think the precoat adds to the quality as it prevents, or slightly limis, outgassing bubbles caught in the fabric, and "dry" spots in the fabric where the resin has soaked into the wood like a sponge, and the glass layer is starved as a result.

PGJ