: On a related topic, the two S&G's I built many years ago from kits, included
: only glass tape for the seams, inside and out. Both were then finished only
: in marine varnish, but held up nicely for many years, with only an
: occasional recoat. Based on that experience, I've never really understood
: the need to glass the boats since it's both heavier and more work ?

I glassed fully both inside and out of my hybrid Cormorant - 6 oz outside
below the chines, and 4 oz above, with about 1" of overlap to give 10 oz
of glass over the chines. Inside is 6 oz between the bulkheads, 4 oz in
bow and stern, again with an overlap under the bulkheads. Yes, that is
more work (more even than just a single layer of glass inside and out),
but my boat is still only 16 kg, which is maybe 30% lighter than my
commercially built all-fibreglass boat. I have only paddled it 110 miles
(it was only launched mid-April and is still in a commissioning phase where
odd changes are being made, like adding a towing cleat, so is not yet
varnished at all) - but we have rocky waters and I like to play in the
nooks and crannies - already I have deep scratches which I think would
have gone right through just varnish, but they are no threat to the
fibreglass. Maybe I'm just not as careful paddling as Tom, but your
paddling style and trip intentions are worth considering when you decide
on your glassing schedule.

Andy