: Can anyone save me time by telling me why the 1/4" cove was selected,
: and whether a larger cove and bead is an option?
:

I share your observations about the fragile nature of 1/4" coves, so the strips for my most recent kayaks were cut slightly thinner than 1/4", maybe .22" or so. The bead and cove were routed with 1/4" diameter bits, so the coves did not have the very thin edeges. It worked very well, and accomplished the same thing that you are considering. I will continue to to this on future kayaks.

John