I would have to agree with John's response concerning RAKA. I am currently using them and they are good and they are competively priced. The Ocean One site has some good comparison information on epoxy that could help you.

The two biggest money items are wood and epoxy/fiberglass. Buy them well and you will be on your way to saving money.

Small items can eat up a lot of money if you let them. I have used a ton of paint brushes, disposable gloves and mixing cups. I have managed to do the work on my kayak improvising in certain areas. I purchased el cheapo hand soap and emptied the soap into a larger container and used the pump containers (after they had been washed out thoroughly and dried) to dispense epoxy into measuring cups. For mixing I use an assortment of collected butter containers. I like the disposable gloves that are loose enough to use over and over again. I buy them along with the paint brushes at Big Lots. I use take out plastic knives from Wendy's for mixing epoxy. Plastic tops to butter containers and such can be cut to use as squeegees and fillet tools also. I did all my fillets in such a manner. I used pvc pipe to make C clamps as so many people have done. They have been indispensible. I obtained my stitch wire from a Ham operator friend of mine who attended a local meet/event where someone was selling the wire. It was $6 and I still have 50 or 60 pieces left after breaking tons of them. I borrowed a can of spray glue from my woodworking friend to apply my paper patterns to the wood for cutting. I borrowed some clamps from him also for holding items that would have been awkward to apply a pvc ring to.

Anyway, sorry to ramble, you get the picture.

Good luck,

Tony

: I am still researching the best/cheapest method of building my first kayak.

: ive seen that epoxy/fiberglass is mighty expensive, and the price varies
: alot.

: Which is the best brand and does it really matter? West, East, MAS or others?

: are there any good suppliers?
: i found west resin for 67$ a gallon local in orlando, and 54$ on the
: internet.

: any ideas or referances would help, thanks
: c