Hi Howard,
I always respect everyones opinion. However, I will add my opinion on this one. I also built a Pygmy S&G many years ago before switching to strip build for all successive boats. I filled the wire holes with tooth picks (the square style) and nipped them off with diagonal cutters. After sanding, the toothpicks had neatly filled the irregular holes caused by the stitching wire and looked like little wooden plugs, much better looking than the holes filled with epoxy which end up very dark. The toothpicks added a slight contrast to to Mahogany plywood which looks like it belongs on the boat rather than just a dark filler. I recommend you try different methods on some scrap and choose the most pleasing to you. It's your boat.........

BTW/ if you want more details or photos, let me know.

Larry C.

Hi -
: My son and I are building our first wooden kayak (Pygmy). I remember reading
: somewhere that some folks fill in the stitch holes. The construction
: manual is silent on this and the Pygmy customer service person recommended
: just leaving the holes unfilled.

: Does anyone have any thoughts/advice on this? We don't mind spending the
: extra time if the extra effort will improve the looks of the boat.

: (Sorry if this topic has already been discussed but I couldn't find it using
: the "search" feature.)

: Thanks.
: Howard