What I really prefer is getting someone else to do it. Best seems to be resin heavy and held down just enough that the finish is a bit pebbly -- not smooth and not hairy. That seems to give a finish without too much drag but enough thickness to take a serious beating. The stuff is almost indestructable so it would work well for someone likely to seriously use their boat. You can buy it pre-cut at some canoe shops (primarily ones which have play boats or serious tripping boats, not Colemans) and you are very right, momma will not be happy if you use her best sewing scissors to cut it.
: John R. Sweet seems to have the best prices on Kevlar felt, from what I've
: seen.

: You need SHARP scissors to cut it!!

: Don, do you like holding the kevlar down with plastic wrap; or leave it
: sticking up, hairy, and resin-heavy? I was doing a really nice job putting
: skid plates on a whole fleet of livery boats once, and the owner told me
: it wouldn't be as tough unless I left the Kevlar hairy and used about 2x a
: much resin.

: shawn