: Rocky shallow waters, thats why. I don't live near an ocean. Where we paddle
: rocks are the enemy.

So? Most of our paddling is on and off rocky, bouldery shores. Our rocks have barnacles. We've always got rocks AND surf. How many surf landing on to rocks will you be doing?

: If your paddle any
: of the smaller waters you will end up with some scraps and scratches on
: bottom of the boat.

That's life... Easier to sort out if there isn't any glass.

: While I don't mind the scratches I don't want to
: water getting into the wood. With a bare hull, it would happen!

We're paddling salt water, you are paddling fresh - so, you let it dry and cover the scratches with some paint. later you sand it down, add a coat of epoxy and go paddling again. A kayak does not spend its life in the water, most of the time it is drying out so what's the problem?

: From what your saying about your boat, that tells me I could probably go
: lighter on the cloth. Maybe a 4 oz. would fine with a double layer along
: the keep and bow.

Still saying forget the cloth.

Incidentally my partner was suggesting this morning that she start another kayak. A Mac60? The first one she built was a Mac50 (the first Mac50) ten years ago (maybe the number doesn't have much to do with the length - 5 metres?). Should she use 3 mm all over or 4 mm on the bottom? We'll see what type of ply is available at the timber yard. There's certainly a sheet of 3 mm lying around here to start with for the deck and maybe enough 4 mm for bulkheads.

Alex