Dan, I have finished the backsides of the butt joints on a Pygmy Arctic Tern 14, using some West epoxy I have around (very viscous). I'm waiting for some Raka epoxy to arrive before doing the frontsides (a watched UPS truck never comes). I'm going to use Raka on this kayak (due to the low viscosity and good reputation here on this forum) and try Larry's 5 oz glass.

You've got me wondering if I should try constructing this without fiberglassing the outsides of the joints. I have built two Pygmy's before (a full sized Tern and a Osprey Double). I can always see the glass at the joints more than I care for, although it is faint, especially on the double.

Right now, the glass on the backsides looks great. The tape is well saturated, epoxy seeped nicely through the joint and spread out evenly for 1/4" or slightly more to either side of the joint on the front. I've horsed the panels arounds some, doing other things until the Raka arrives (like beveling edges). Just last night, as I was beveling, I was wondering if I could forego the fiberglass on the front altogether.

What issues, if any, did you run into building it without the outside glass on the joints? Any advice for me if I go that route? Thanks.

: I did my butt joints by glassing only the inside, avoiding the sanding
: altogether. Didn't have any troubles (this was an Osprey Std.) Others here
: have done the same, tho I don't remember any discussion on a double. There
: has been some discussion with Pygmy on this general issue, and they seem
: to expect that the deck glass overlap is going to be sanded off anyway in
: finishing.

: My .02 - you'll be fine with the deck tape sanded off. I'm a bit less
: confident advising sanding the hull tape, but it'd probably be OK.