You're absoolutely right - the more you read, the more opinions you'll see ...and they can all produce good results.

1. pre-coating - I don't. Tried it and found it unnecessary. Canoe Craft and Kayak Craft by Ted Moores doesnt. Newfound Woodworks doesn't. I wet out my glass good and let the epoxy soak in a good 10 minutes. Then I squeege it. I sand no finer than 120 even 100 with the grain by hand prior to glassing. I trust the chemical bond of laying fill coats on ASAP. (next morning - as soon as the epoxy is hardened to the touch) I use a no-blush epoxy too. (RAKA) I wet out and fill with a brush. When I do glass I pour the epoxy down the center line and squeege it around letting it flow and soak in. I think if you use a roller you have a chance of dry spots because it doesn't deliver enough epoxy. Pre coating has been discussed on this board and it's a pretty mixed subject. The idea of blush occuring and not getting a good bond always scares me which is another reson I lke to glass on the bare wood. I don't get any dry spots - ever.

If you do precoat, make sure you know your epoxy (blush - no blush?) how long is the window for a chemical bond?

I fill coat with a brush. I walk that line of adding as much as possible without drips. If I get a drip, I scrap it flush prior to more fill coating or.. just fill right over it. It's got to be sanded anyhow prior to varnish. It's just nicer if your fill coats are smooth.