I have two CLC boats that I used the "spot weld" method. It worked well for me. Plastic ties worked better. Be sure to align all the panels exactly right. Then spot several dabs of small fillets along each seam. I used one every foot or so. I then went back and cut the ties out, and did the fillets with a 1-1/2" wide stick that was sanded to a nice round end. Its pretty quick and easy once you get the hang of it. As I painted the hulls, I didnt care about the bigger holes or the epoxy filling them. Hope this helps.

> Need some advice.... After much frustration in trying to attach the bottom
> and side panels of my CLC Chesapeake 17, I tossed the copper wire away and
> used small plastic ties like those used to attach cables and wires. The
> panels came together nicely...tight, no gaps. What I have sitting on my
> sawhorses actually looks like it might become a kayak! I realize that
> drilling larger holes in the panels and using plastic ties will mean a
> change in plans when it comes time to applying a finish, but this problem
> can wait. I'm having a difficult time visualizing the fillets along the
> seams.... ...are they as flat as a Hershey bar, but not as wide? Are they
> thick and narrow like a Twizzler?...Milky Way, Mounds, Mars Bar, stick of
> gum? Should the fillets cover the plastic ties (they are certainly more
> visible and larger than the copper wire)? Thanks to all who help!