Be carefull with the epoxy putty mixture if you use it to fill the holes. If you have not seal coated the wood 1st, the mixture may stain the surrounding wood.

I spent a lot of time trying to get my 1st kayak perfect, and when I was done filling holes and a few small gaps, and stood back, I realized that the wetted area around the filled areas where tinted slightly and this could not be removed no matter what I tried.

After that experience I seal coated 1st and then any hole which did not fill with epoxy was puttied with a sawdust,epoxy, silica, or cabosil mixture.

Tom