I know of 2 European top racing kayak manufacturers, who are using less and less epoxy. They go for the newer polyesters that apparently are as good as epoxy. Also they are MUCH cheaper. Second thing is, WHEN they still use epoxy on a boat, they will ALLWAYS vaccuum bag it, and bake it (to some 70° Celcius) which will make it much more stronger and stiffer. Those 2 professional boatbuilders (located in Portugal) will NEVER apply epoxy on a kayak without the procedure described above.

Now, I can only speak for myself: I'm just an amateur in boatbuilding. But I would like to know if these techniques are of any use for us. And IF, I'd like some ideas have about how to enhance the final result.

1) I wouldn't risk to damage a stripped hull, just for trying polyester, but if they use it with succes, why shouldn't we use it on the strippers then. Has anyone tried it ?

2) I've read a small post in the past about vaccuum bagging a real small part of the hull (1 Ft by 1 Ft approx.). I think it should be possible for us to vaccuum bag the entire outer or inner hull.

3) I won't ask for ideas how to bake an epoxied hull.