Non-wood questions are welcome.

You need some kind of overlap. This can either be molded into the deck and hull or tape layed across the seam. Molding in a joint which overlaps is difficult. The tolerances required for a tight/strong joint are difficult to acheive. Resin shrinks slightly after curing and the resulting change in size needs to be accounted for when making the plug to make the molds to make the boat. If you can do it, a molded-in overlap will probably be the strongest system.

The primary advantage taping the joint is the tolerances do not need to be as tight. The tape will conform to irregularities.

> For building a fiberglass kayak, I was wondering what the different
> methods are for joining a hull to a deck. I am familiar with the
> whitewater seam-tape method. I've been told that you can build up the two
> halves where they join and then merely epoxy them together. I've also read
> that you can everlap the deck onto the hull. That seems to me to be a
> fairly strong option. Which method is easy, yet still strong? Are there
> any downsides to the various methods?

> I just joined this bulletin board, I hope it's OK to ask a question about
> fiberglass construction (instead of wood.)

> Thanks, Dave