Yo Thom

Sounds like a challenge. Offer him less dollars and go for it. I guess it is possible that alot of the ailments on the outside that you described could be remedied with a random orbital sanding mission (1 hour max) using a couple of 80 grit disks outside. That would remove the varnish, alot of your runs and unevenness - maybe.

The dragging on the concrete (eek, boat punk!;( ) would require repatching with glass cloth, but you could keep it local and fair that in easily enough.

As for reinforcing the ends, Check that the builder put the end pours in and you could lay an extra strip of tape along the keel for reinforcing. That should be enough ... the kayak doesn't draw alot of water and I don't ground very often at all. You probably don't need to go too overboard with reinforcing.

The inside work, particularly sanding the tape won't be alot of fun. Wear a respirator and a head lamp. Start off with a paint scraper, then sand paper. You should be able to smooth things up where it matters fairly easily. Coat with varnish to seal after you repositioned your footrests and compass.

I like the look of varnished boats and wouldn't do a wood kayak any otherway and apparently varnish can hide quite alot of features that would stand out with a painted surface. I'd stick with varnish.

I think a bit of tender love and care should have your boat looking and going good.

Nothing like a challenge.

Go for it and good luck.

Pete