Whilst i will maiden launch my first SoF on Sunday i am already thinking about the next one i will build! (Mainly to apply all the learning from mistakes i have made on this one!)

I have used a polyester woven cloth (Dacron I think) and clear marine varnished it. To be honest i don't really like the look of it. It "is what it is" of course, but if I could hide the Gunwales, stringers and the ribs which are variously showing through, I would like to do that on the next SoF make!

I believe that dying the material is possible, but what about painting the ribs, stringers and gunwales, say white so that they do not look so bad? Even painting the skin?

I often see pictures of SoF with coloured skins, especially of the brownish colour. Do they use varnish with a stain? What about the bright blues etc, how are they achieved?

Anyway.... how can i "pretty up" a SoF kayak please?

Many thanks for your ideas.
Brido from Cooranbong, Australia